This thesis aims to study the movement for women'srights in Thai society during 1946-1976, that is from theend of World War 2 till the violent political incidents of 6October 1976. Ideas about the inequality of the sexes, andthe movement for women's rights in Thai society and itoutcome, will be analysed, using evidence from variousdocuments and interviews with women who played a role in themovement for women's rights during that period. The study finds that the demands for women's rights inThailand during the 1946-1976 period came from two groups ofwomen : the liberals and the socialists. Both groupsdeveloped their strategies during this period, a periodwhich may divided further into three stages, namely : thecountry's postwar recovery (1946-1957), Sarit-style militarydictatorship (1958-1972), and the flowering of democracy(1972-1976). The period of postwar recovery saw Thailand becoming amember of the United Nations, a move which led to reforms tobring Thai law into line with the U.N. policy of promotingthe status of women. The liberals, who used to limitthemselves to advocating their views through women'sjournals, now formed a group which handed a proposal to thegovernment to amend some laws concerning women. Thesocialists' activities were during this period confined tothe propagation of their ideas through the writings of maleintellectuals. The period of Sarit-style military rule began with alessening of the role of the liberals, owing to the strictpolitical regime. The liberals were now confined toactivities such as giving advice, spreading information onlaws, and providing legal assistance, while the socialistshad to stop all activities. When the political climaterelaxed, the demands for women's rights began once more. Theliberals asked the government to amend laws concerningwomen. During the democratics rule of 1973-1976, demands forwomen's rights became much more lively. The liberalscontinued to build a united front within politicalinstitutions as well as among the public. The socialistsattracted the interest of students and women intellectuals,and also femals workers. The movement for women's rights elicited both positiveand negative responses from Thai society. The liberals werepartially successful in pushing for the amendment of manylaws, while the socialists were unable to achieve theirobjectives. Their activities were suppressed after theincidents of 6 October 1976.