Yes it is true that Thailand has huge foreign reserves but mostly in the USA dollar currency . I have read recently that paper money is not the way to go as opposed to tangibles e.g. gold , oil reserves , real estate and land . The world seems to depend on the American dollar, come what may but right now there is concern that the federal bank will put up interest rates to try to halt or lessen their imminent inflation . Some have said that the American balloon is about to burst . So if Thailand relies on the U.S. dollar , as its main source of foreign reserves , there could be a weakening of the baht that would exacerbate the problems of Thailand's poorest folk and desperate people do desperate things of course . The Thai government must take care of its low paid folks by introducing a welfare scheme rather than spend money on submarines or conscription's etc .