Prayuth’s priority must be to rebuild Thailand
- Compromise and deal-making are unfamiliar territory for the prime minister, but he has no choice if he wants to be seen to govern fairly
Compromise and deal-making are unfamiliar territory for Prayuth, but he has no choice if he wants to be seen to govern fairly. Society is deeply divided between wealthy supporters of the establishment and people of lower and middle-incomes and easing the polarisation lies in political reconciliation. Then there is the sputtering economy, growth having fallen to 2.8 per cent in the second quarter, the trade war between the United States and China having contributed to declines in exports, investment and tourism. Foreign investors have to be convinced that Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy offers a free, fair and stable business environment.
Greater attention has to also be paid to foreign policy and especially so as Thailand is this year’s chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Its annual summit in Chiang Mai from June 20-23 is an opportunity for Prayuth to lift his country’s profile. There are daunting challenges ahead. But he has a mandate to rule and has to make the most of it to rebuild Thailand.