Longer-form commentary and opinion pieces across all geographic sections
Despite slowing inflation, the residential market in the first few months of 2023 has been sluggish, the real estate sector reports. Overall, the housing demand in Thailand has dropped and consumer purchasing power remains weak, although the sector is hoping to benefit from new government policies. Leading property website DDProperty says higher interest rates are
If the debt crisis roiling Washington were eventually to send the United States crashing into recession, America’s economy would hardly sink alone. The repercussions of a first-ever default on the federal debt would quickly reverberate around the world. Orders for Chinese factories that sell electronics to the United States could dry up. Swiss investors who
For many Thais, the proposed new coalition government of parties from the opposition camp represents a “dream team” of liberal democrats. The six-party coalition, led by election-winner Move Forward, would have 310 MPs and an absolute majority in the 500-seat House of Representatives. However, to make this dream come true, the coalition would need majority
A combination of the Thaksin factor, appeal of a youthful image and repellence of old-style politics has contributed to one of the biggest surprises in modern Thai political history. Signs of a Move Forward election triumph were always there, but they were probably misinterpreted in 2019 when the better-than-expected performance of the Future Forward Party
The Pheu Thai Party is still widely tipped to win more seats than any other party, but signs are that their ambition of surpassing the 300-seat mark is unlikely to be achieved now. Even a 200-seat win is looking like a pipe dream at the moment. The biggest political party may remain so after all
Striking a right balance in its relationship with the US and China whose ongoing geopolitical rivalry is rattling the world will be a major policy challenge for Thailand’s new administration, according to top politicians contending in the upcoming general election. There is also a consensus among them that Thailand must not choose sides given the
Fighting in Sudan between forces loyal to two top generals has put that nation at risk of collapse and could have consequences far beyond its borders. Both sides have tens of thousands of fighters, foreign backers, mineral riches and other resources that could insulate them from sanctions. It’s a recipe for the kind of prolonged
Thailand expresses gratitude and respect for the older generation every year on April 13, National Elderly Day. Yet, every year the number of senior Thais in dire straits, struggling to survive without support or a safety net, rises. A 2021 survey revealed that half of Thais aged 60 to 69 were still working to support
Press freedom remains a challenge in Thailand, especially when it comes to political issues. According to the 2022 World Press Freedom Index, by Reporters Without Borders, Thailand’s press is considered to be in a “difficult” situation, being ranked 115 out of 180 countries Despite improving its ranking from the year before, the report says that
Pheu Thai and Move Forward, who once seemed perfect allies as Thailand’s two largest opposition parties, are now in a fierce fight to lure votes from the same voter base. As campaigns for the upcoming general election kicked off, Pheu Thai Party immediately began calling for its supporters to give it a landslide victory on
While the young Generation Z adults may not be the biggest group of voters yet, their keen interest in politics is set to have a super-sized influence on the outcome of Thailand’s general election next month. A survey indicates that about 85% of the 7.67 million Generation Z-ers (Thais aged between 18 and 26) intend
Registration of constituency candidates nationwide on Monday (April 3) marks the official start of the May 14 general election, as candidates and their parties will now have to comply with electoral law. The national vote was called after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha dissolved the House of Representatives on March 20, just three days before the
