Thailand’s political catch-2023

[webfact]

People wearing face masks as a measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are seen at a train station in Bangkok, Thailand, 7 January 2021 (Photo: Reuters/Athit Perawongmetha).

 

Author: Editorial Board, ANU

 

When we think of countries that risk ‘growing old before they grow rich’, we usually think of China. But an equally stark illustration of the challenges facing a country with developed-world demographics and a middle-income economy is Thailand.

Thailand is facing a rapidly ageing demographic profile, with none of the fiscal ammunition that Northeast Asian economies like Japan, Taiwan and South Korea can draw on to support a growing aged population.

 

There are serious questions about whether Thailand can make up for its looming workforce challenges through productivity improvements, with the education system in dire need of reform and major industries dominated by politically-connected oligopolists. The overarching challenges of the economy look uncannily Northeast Asian: ‘Middle- and working-class households, stressed by growing debt, inflation and mediocre employment prospects, are hardly eager to have more children … Southeast Asia’s second largest and once dynamic economy is struggling under the weight of an ageing population, a deteriorating education system and low yield rice farming’, as Richard Yarrow says in this week’s lead article.

 

Thailand looks like a test case of whether or how a middle-income country with dysfunctional and only partially democratic politics can evade the political barriers to the structural reforms needed to lift it to advanced economy status. Above all, it ‘needs reliable, honest governance committed to tackling the country’s worsening structural problems’, writes Yarrow.

 

Full story: https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2022/10/24/thailands-political-catch-2023/

 

-- © Copyright East Asia Forum 2022-10-24

 

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[hotchilli]

21 hours ago, webfact said:

There are serious questions about whether Thailand can make up for its looming workforce challenges through productivity improvements, with the education system in dire need of reform and major industries dominated by politically-connected oligopolists.

Thailands education system churns out submissive worker ants for the factories.. 

so the elite can continue to rule the masses without major protests.

An educated populous would swing the balance the wrong way and that would not be tolerated.

 

[Eric Loh]

On 10/24/2022 at 10:01 AM, webfact said:

Thailand looks like a test case of whether or how a middle-income country with dysfunctional and only partially democratic politics can evade the political barriers to the structural reforms needed to lift it to advanced economy status. Above all, it ‘needs reliable, honest governance committed to tackling the country’s worsening structural problems’, writes Yarrow.

Maintaining political stability, free election and peaceful transfer of power are IMO the biggest hindrance to the economic woes facing Thailand. Just not too long ago, Thailand was touted as the 5th Asian Tigers after Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea. Thailand has tremendous potential but has continously on a self destruction path. Vietnam and Indonesia (post Suharto) have able to maintain political stability and are seen as good investments locations. Empowering the voters will enhance voters participation that can progress and result in electing credible and honest government. Indonesia is a good example of that process. Thailand need step-up with structural reforms especially in education and robotics. These are long term apolitical reforms that require political stability, peaceful transfer of power and visonary leadership. Thailand has wasted 2 decades of growth due to political interference. The country can't survive with more of the same. 

[zzaa09]

9 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Thailands education system churns out submissive worker ants for the factories.. 

so the elite can continue to rule the masses without major protests.

An educated populous would swing the balance the wrong way and that would not be tolerated.

 

This is what oligarchies do - the world over. 

Keep the masses dumbed down and at bay.