S2E13: Thailand’s political stalemate needs revival to spark economy

Asian Insider

Political stalemate is diminishing Thailand’s international stature and economy

Synopsis: The Straits Times' global contributor Nirmal Ghosh shines a light on Asian perspectives of global and Asian issues with expert guests.

Thailand, once seen as a rising middle power, is now stuck in political and economic stagnation that are affecting its international standing. The country, now under a relatively new Prime Minister, 38-year-old Paetongtarn Shinawatra - daughter of Thaksin Shinawatra - went through years of political turmoil, and saw a poor 1.9 per cent GDP growth in 2023.

Economists expect around 2.7 per cent in 2024 and 2.9 per cent in 2025 - not enough to satisfy demands and expectations. Thailand’s “old guard” institutions have not allowed the country to progress politically, controlling political outcomes through agencies like the constitutional court, the election commission, the anti corruption commission and the Senate.

Meanwhile, Thailand's international standing has diminished - though the country’s size and geographic location mean it remains a key player in the region. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is also internally divided, restricting progress on contentious issues such as the ongoing civil war in Myanmar.

While former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin has been appointed an informal advisor to next year’s ASEAN chair, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, expectations are low.

The former premier, as well as Prime Minister Anwar himself, are from an older generation - but ASEAN needs a younger generation to lead it forward, says Professor Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a senior fellow of the Institute of Security and International Studies at Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Political Science, and currently a visiting professor as well at the London School of Economics, who shares his views and prognosis on Thailand with host Nirmal Ghosh in this episode of Asian Insider.

Highlights (click/tap above):

6:02 How the military coup in May 2014 'sank' Thailand

10:29 How Thailand lost out on tech revolutions like AI

17:41 Professor Thitinan sees the five original members of ASEAN as more aligned

20:31 The worst thing Thailand can do is sell out to the SAC (State Administratiion Council - the Myanmar military regime)

22:08 Asean chair needs a new guard, new generation

Host: Nirmal Ghosh ([e-mail])

Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

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