ARTICLES

28 May 2024

The Good Reasons for a Thai Economic Stimulus

Richard Yarrow

A range of data suggests Thailand’s economy has not reached maximal employment. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has some good grounds to inject economic stimulus—but should reconsider the policy’s design.

27 May 2024

The Thai Senate: A Crisis of Representation in the Making

Napon Jatusripitak

The convoluted selection process and the likelihood of self- or vested interests overshadowing public ones in Thailand’s senatorial race mean that the odds of a truly representative body are slim.

Thai Elections Thai Politics Thailand

16 May 2024

Thailand’s Minimum Wage Conundrum: Populist Promise or Productive Policy?

Peter Warr

At the May 2023 election, Prime Minister Sretta Thavisin’s Pheu Thai Party promised to double Thailand’s minimum wage. His administration should focus on raising labour productivity rather than pursuing short-term populist policies.

Thai Economy Thai Politics Thailand

8 May 2024

Stimulus Package Glosses over Digital Divide

Surachanee Sriyai

Thailand’s controversial digital wallet scheme has been criticised by some quarters. One aspect that is ignored is the kingdom’s digital divide.

Thai Economy Thai Politics Thailand

7 May 2024

Pheu Thai’s Military Reforms: Keeping the Military Onside

Paul Chambers

Pheu Thai proposed reforms of the powerful Thai military are relatively modest, all the more to prevent the ignominy of suffering yet another coup.

Thai Military Thai Politics Thailand

2 May 2024

Political Stakes of Pheu Thai’s 10,000 Baht Digital Wallet Initiative

Napon Jatusripitak

The Pheu Thai Party is seeking to push through its 10,000 baht digital wallet scheme. If it fails, there would be significant ramifications for the party. Yet, even if it succeeds, there is no guarantee that the party will regain its electoral dominance.

Thai Elections Thai Politics Thailand

25 Apr 2024

Thailand Needs Economic Reform, Not Economic Stimulus

Peter Warr

The Thai government wants to inject more economic stimulus to raise the growth rate. It should tackle productivity-raising long-term economic reform.

Thai Economy Thai Politics Thailand

5 Apr 2024

Thailand’s Persevering Police Problem

Paul Chambers

Whatever reforms are underway for Thailand’s law enforcers would be inadequate if the foxes are already in the henhouse.

Anti-Corruption Corruption Southeast Asia Thai Politics Thailand

19 Mar 2024

Pheu Thai Versus Bank of Thailand: More Than a Question of Digital Wallets and Interest Rates

Napon Jatusripitak

A festering dispute between the Pheu Thai-led government and the Bank of Thailand has underscored a major question as to who sets the kingdom’s economic direction.

Finance Southeast Asia Thai Economy Thai Politics Thailand