<P> A declassified US Department of Defense report written in 1973 suggests that there was a significant use of herbicides on the fenced - in perimeters of military bases in Thailand to remove foliage that provided cover for enemy forces . </P> <P> The Vietnam War hastened the modernisation and Westernisation of Thai society . The American presence and the exposure to Western culture that came with it had an effect on almost every aspect of Thai life . Before the late 1960s, full access to Western culture was limited to a highly educated elite in society, but the Vietnam War brought the outside world face to face with large segments of the Thai society as never before . With US dollars pumping up the economy, the service, transportation, and construction industries grew phenomenally as did drug abuse and prostitution . The traditional rural family unit was broken down as more and more rural Thais moved to the city to find new jobs . This led to a clash of cultures as Thais were exposed to Western ideas about fashion, music, values, and moral standards . </P> <P> The population began to grow explosively as the standard of living rose, and a flood of people began to move from the villages to the cities, and above all to Bangkok . Thailand had 30 million people in 1965, while by the end of the 20th century the population had doubled . Bangkok's population had grown tenfold since 1945 and had tripled since 1970 . </P> <P> Educational opportunities and exposure to mass media increased during the Vietnam War years . Bright university students learned more about ideas related to Thailand's economic and political systems, resulting in a revival of student activism . The Vietnam War period also saw the growth of the Thai middle class which gradually developed its own identity and consciousness . </P>

What was the capital of thailand before bangkok