ARTICLES

3 Apr 2023

Why is the U.S.-Thai Alliance Treading Water?

Ian Storey

United States President Joe Biden has done a creditable job in upgrading and reinvigorating America’s treaty alliances. Thailand, one of Washington’s oldest treaty allies in Asia, is an outlier.

Thailand U.S.-Thailand Relations

16 Mar 2023

Thai General and Premier Learns the Ropes as a Full-fledged Politician

Termsak Chalermpalanupap

Thai premier General Prayut Chan-o-cha, a former career military officer, is evolving to become a full-fledged politician who dangles goodies and hustles deals with other people of his ilk.

Thai Politics Thailand

13 Mar 2023

Chinese Investment into Thai Private Universities: The Need to Keep Standards Up

Sivarin Lertpusit

The flow of Chinese investment into Thai private universities has sparked concerns about falling educational standards. The authorities need to put measures in place to ensure that standards are maintained.

China-Thai Relations Thailand

3 Mar 2023

Perils and Promise Beneath Global Enthusiasm for Thai Baht

Richard Yarrow

There has been a certain buzz around the Thai baht. But the attention could be short lived if the government fails to navigate deeper structural problems.

Thai Economy Thailand

25 Jan 2023

Dangerous Unintended Consequences Loom in the Wake of Thailand’s Hasty Legalisation of Marijuana

Termsak Chalermpalanupap

Thailand’s hasty legalisation of marijuana and hemp without necessary control measures has sparked concerns about illicit trade and abuse of ‘legalised’ marijuana. It also threatens to disrupt ASEAN’s regional effort to create a “drug-free” community; the other nine ASEAN members still treat marijuana as a banned narcotic.

Drug Trade Health Thailand

13 Jan 2023

Democratic Consolidation or Authoritarian Survival: Thailand’s Next General Election in 2023

Napon Jatusripitak

The upcoming elections in Thailand might raise hopes of a post-coup democratic consolidation. But the polls could well result in a hung parliament or worse.

Thai Elections Thai Politics Thailand

6 Jan 2023

Thai PM’s New Move Raises More Questions Than Answers

Termsak Chalermpalanupap

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has finally announced his intention to be the prime ministerial candidate of the United Thai Nation Party. Many questions remain, however, about how he intends to proceed in the run-up to the next general elections.

Thai Elections Thai Politics Thailand

5 Jan 2023

Long-Delayed Thailand-China High-Speed Train: A Political Game on Two Tracks

Sivarin Lertpusit

The beleaguered construction and murky progress of the proposed Bangkok-Nong Khai high-speed railway are emblematic of deeper problems underlying Thailand’s and China’s infrastructural ambitions.

Belt and Road Initiative China-Thai Relations Thai Politics Thailand

22 Nov 2022

Thailand’s Long-Term Resident Visa for Global Talent and Wealthy Residents: Aiming Too High?

Sivarin Lertpusit

Thailand’s latest move to attract global investment and talent might be a step too little, too late, given its slow start off the blocks and its unimpressive record on innovative visa schemes.

Immigration Labour Market Thailand