Unlike in 1997, Thailand’s new economic problems are directly linked to the country’s divisive political crisis, leaving some to wonder whether either party to the conflict necessarily has the country’s best interests in mind.
- Extracted from Shawn W. Crispin, “Thailand’s conflict gets economic”, Asia Times Online, 12 July 2008.
2 responses so far ↓
1 Robin // Jul 13, 2008 at 12:56 am
That is a tough case to make, all most all of the Asian countries are facing the same problem. Vietnam and Indonesia don’t have a govermental crisis, yet are in worse shape than Thailand.
If there is a case to be made about a crisis in Thai government it is that the elected and their selecteds has the inability to run the country. A better group of bumblers and stumblers couldn’t be found with a world-wide talentless search.
Self preservation over national preservation is a one sided affair, which lacks a second party needed for a conflict.
Were the government capable of and were they to decide to address the economy, then a debate over whether the street demonstrations have or had an effect on the Thai economy might be a reasonable topic. But, until such time as the government tackles the country’s economy there is no way to access the political strife’s contribution.
Sensationalism and spin doctoring (political economy?) aside, the Thai economy will succede or fail regardless of the political conflict, due in part to the government’s failure to address the real issues in the first place.
2 motdaeng // Jul 13, 2008 at 5:15 am
Sensationalism and spin doctoring (political economy?) aside, the Thai economy will succede or fail regardless of the political conflict, due in part to the government’s failure to address the real issues in the first place.
What does that mean?
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