ARTICLES

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.

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

2 Nov 2022

The Threat and Allure of Thai-Style Party Bans

Napon Jatusripitak

There is irony in the Pheu Thai Party’s attempt to get its rival Bhumjaithai Party banned since this tactic was originally designed to eradicate Pheu Thai itself. The attempt will likely alienate Pheu Thai’s supporters and weaken its anti-regime stance.

Thai Politics Thailand

A captain of a dive boat secures the anchor

18 Oct 2022

UNCLOS and Thailand: Security, Prosperity and Sustainability

Somjade Kongrawd

Despite being a party to UNCLOS only in 2011, the Convention has served Thailand well. But UNCLOS should be updated in light of emerging maritime issues such as climate change.

Maritime Security Thailand UNCLOS Why UNCLOS Matters

17 Oct 2022

Merge or Die: How Chart Pattana Kla Reflects a Sea Change in Party Dynamics

Napon Jatusripitak

The merger between the Kla and Chart Pattana parties is a logical outcome of Thailand’s new electoral rules, which will benefit bigger entities at the expense of smaller, party-list driven ones. The new rules mean that more of these mergers should be expected.

Thai Elections Thai Politics Thailand