Government’s plans to court China ignores economic realities; puts Thailand at geopolitical risk

[webfact]

In economics and diplomacy, decisions can’t be made lightly—especially when they have far-reaching implications for a country’s economic and geopolitical stability. Yet, Thailand’s new government under Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin appears to be taking an ill-advised gamble by tying the nation’s economic future primarily to China. This strategic move is especially concerning given the precarious state of China’s economy and its increasingly ideological governance under Xi Jinping.

 

The litany of economic issues facing China is staggering: an unstable real estate sector, rampant youth unemployment, and an overall shaky economic foundation. Furthermore, Xi Jinping’s determination to roll back liberal economic reforms and instill a stronger communist ideology could make China an even more volatile partner for Thailand. Against this backdrop, Thailand’s courting of Chinese money seems not just misguided but perilously naïve, lacking in comprehensive economic analysis and macroeconomic understanding.

 

Srettha’s government plans to boost tourism by increasing direct flights to secondary cities in China and transforming local festivals like Loy Krathong and Songkran into global events, primarily targeting Chinese tourists. On paper, these initiatives might look promising for quick economic gains, but they fail to account for China’s economic vulnerabilities and what that could mean for Thailand.

 

by Arun Saronchai

 

Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/50721/governments-plans-to-court-china-ignores-economic-realities-puts-thailand-at-geopolitical-risk/

 

-- THAI ENQUIRER 2023-09-14

 

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[2baht]

Bow to the Emperor!

[NoDisplayName]

Where's the problem?

Tourism is not zero sum.

Increasing flights from country A has no effect on flights from countries B thru Z.

Targeting a country with nearly a quarter of the world's population that's only a cheap 2-hour flight away (or a quick high-speed rail trip) is a bad thing?

[harada]

Step into my parlour said the spider to the fly. 

[Tropicalevo]

Quote

A glaring oversight in this policy is how it places Thailand’s economy perilously at the mercy of Chinese political whims.

A good article thank you.

Thai Enquirer is one of the very few publications that does not give in to the whims of the censors and the government.

They are not afraid to tell the truth.

 

[jaywalker2]

All the policies of the new government are a continuation of the failed policies of the previous administration. Prayut's focus was on tourism. Remember how they boasted about targetting 80 million tourists a year. How did that work out?

 

Tourism does not lead to sustainable economic development. When excessive, it only leads to boom-bust cycles and the destruction of the environment and local cultures.

[hotchilli]

Shared ancestry... bonds cannot be broken.. they will stick with China as it's on the door step and use the west whenever possible.

[ThaiFelix]

5 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

A good article thank you.

Thai Enquirer is one of the very few publications that does not give in to the whims of the censors and the government.

They are not afraid to tell the truth.

 

Is it also owned by Fox coz thats what they would say, well they all would wouldnt they ?

[ThaiFelix]

2 hours ago, jaywalker2 said:

Prayut's focus was on tourism

yes but only because he couldnt say "sustainable economic development" without stuttering on TV.

[RichardColeman]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Srettha’s government plans to boost tourism by increasing direct flights to secondary cities in China and transforming local festivals like Loy Krathong and Songkran into global events, primarily targeting Chinese tourists.

So, bit like trooping the colour happening with a chinese dragon act

[trainman34014]

As the country is run (controlled) by Sino Thai's it is not surprising such decisions will be made !