Thailand Confronts its Triple Disaster in 2020

The confluence of COVID, droughts, and raging forest fires have combined to produce a perfect storm of challenges for the government.

By Erin Cook

   

This year was always going to be a tough one for Thailand, with the government led by Prayut Chan-o-cha trying to manage continuing political and economic challenges following last year’s contentious elections as well as rising domestic discontent that has rocked the country.

 

But 2020 has seen the concretization of what might be termed Thailand’s triple disaster. The combination of the global coronavirus pandemic, droughts, and choking fires have all combined to create a particularly difficult environment for the Thai government to navigate.

 

First, COVID-19 has hit the country hard. Though it arrived early in January, with Thailand recording the first known case outside of China, the government dithered in taking steps that would have restricted interactions with China, which contributed to the country becoming among those with the highest recorded cases in the region.

 

Full story: https://thediplomat.com/2020/04/thailand-confronts-its-triple-disaster-in-2020/

 

-- THE DIPLOMAT 2020 04-15

3 hours ago, webfact said:

the government led by Prayut Chan-o-cha trying to manage continuing political and economic challenges following last year’s contentious elections as well as rising domestic discontent that has rocked the country.

----> domestic discontent <---- Yeah , that's what happens when a military lead autocratic government tries to disguise itself into a democracy .

( greeting from FF party ... ) .

7 mio Thais lost their job already due to Covid , 10 mio are predicted ...

If government wants to keep social unrest away , it needs to massively help the people in need now ... or put the tanks back to the streets ...

What is needed here is more liberal politics for thais and to stop it's xenophobia towards foreigners .

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand Confronts its Triple Disaster in 2020

Not seen much "confronting" going on with the drought and the forest fires!

No mention of the unfavourable exchange rate which has to be biting export sales on the butt for a while.  Export sales must be bouncing around zero at the moment for manufactured goods.

And nothing about PM 2.5 in the article well that's so nice....except to add it to just the air quality from the fires........just ignore the real cause as it is..... well just as all the other issues at hand are ignored, so only 3 problems in 2020, that is so comforting to know......hahahahahaha

Once things begin to "slide" you need to stop the movement quickly. Actions taken to deal with the problems mentioned in the OP are not going to work. The financial programme to cope with the collapse in jobs will fail, essentially because the cash which might be available will not be released (hence only 7% success rate in applications for relief) as it is controlled by the very rich who ultimately call the shots with government. Political unrest will hardly be resolved by first effectively disenfranchising 6 million voters (many of them acutely politically aware) and now as seems likely jailing their leader on trumped up charges. The utter ineffectiveness of any attempts to deal with drought or crop burning ruins the quality of life for many and highlights the incompetence of the regime for many others. All in all, they seem to be greasing the skids!

Edited April 15, 20206 yr by JAG

2 hours ago, nobodysfriend said:

----> domestic discontent <---- Yeah , that's what happens when a military lead autocratic government tries to disguise itself into a democracy .

( greeting from FF party ... ) .

7 mio Thais lost their job already due to Covid , 10 mio are predicted ...

If government wants to keep social unrest away , it needs to massively help the people in need now ... or put the tanks back to the streets ...

What is needed here is more liberal politics for thais and to stop it's xenophobia towards foreigners .

 

wow I think I will copy that post for future use my friend - you nailed it 

1 hour ago, Grumpy John said:

No mention of the unfavourable exchange rate which has to be biting export sales on the butt for a while.  Export sales must be bouncing around zero at the moment for manufactured goods.

I predicted over a year ago that Thailand would drop like a lead balloon in the next 3 years - I am now getting very confident that I was right

Even a busted clock is right twice a day.

All i can say is they had better get their act together with this relief money,i mean the number approved was crazy,sure there may be a few scammers,but 13 million?

It's at least quadruple, they forget usurpers in power.

Not to mention the air quality debacle! Dum-de-dum-dum destroying the health and quality of life for millions of poor Thai peasants. ???? 

Covid19 has been a godsend in many ways. Economy was tanking, air pollution horrendous, forest fires all over, censured in parliament, drug dealing minister refuses to resign, students about to rampage, continuing road carnage and..............all gone and for now, forgotten.

 

Any future problems re: the economy? All be down to Covid19.

Slash room rates, legalise puff, be extremely welcoming to all tourists and foreigners and try and get the amazing Thailand, that people loved so much all those years ago, back again.

The junta is as competent in governance as I am in brain surgery.

The army is only there to keep the civilian population under control. Faced with any disciplined external armed force, one would probably see most of the generals skedaddling to Switzerland or Germany with their loot, and the grunts heading for the hills.

If they keep the population locked down, a virus, forest fires, and a drought will be the least of their worries.  But, authoratians have to show off their power to control - until they lose control.  Best of luck gents. 

15 hours ago, Phuketshrew said:

Not seen much "confronting" going on with the drought and the forest fires!

Ah yes. Thais are  bit hazy on the meanings of 'confronting' and 'leaving it the hell alone'.

 

Understandable, Thai schools very good. Thai Universities even better.