Thailand in 2031

[reader]

The Bangkok Post, on the occasion of its 75th anniversary, thought it would be fitting to invite several "visionary leaders" to tell us how they imagine the Thailand of 2031 in all its potential guises, from the economic and political to the technological, environmental and social.

Here's a few takeaways:

• "Mass tourism will give way to small groups of eco-conscious travellers, he said. National park regulations will be updated with sustainability in mind."

The wet dream of hi-so bigwigs for several years, this portends the great advantage of leaving behind what has made Thailand one of the world's most visited destinations and instead catering to small groups of wealthy eco tourists. Why they think it's necessary to wait a decade to see how that plays out in reality when the evidence is available today in the streets of Bangkok and Pattaya.

• "The pandemic also triggered a big gap in income disparity because poor people are less able to cope with the crisis due to low education levels and lack of access to digital technology."

No argument there. Unfortunately, nothing follows about changing the public education system that perpetuates those levels.

• "The private sector will continue to play a vital role in propelling growth and development in the next decade, but the country's stumbling block remains the bureaucracy, says Somkiat Tangkitvanich, president of the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI)."

He's surely got that right.

• In regard to the political landscape over the next 10 years, Mr Stithorn predicts deep-seated divisions in society and politics will remain at least five years from now. The ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) is staying loyal to the "three Por" clique led by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon and Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda. 
• At the same time, opposition parties, made up mainly of large parties — Pheu Thai and Move Forward — vary in the way they operate in parliament, even as they are described as the mainstay of the "pro-democracy" camp.
• "A turning point will come after the senators lose their power to co-elect a prime minister along with MPs in 2023. That is when the progressive party will gain an upper hand in parliament as it draws on support from younger voters.
• The base of older voters captured by the PPRP will dwindle while most first-time voters are likely to cast their ballots for the MFP and Pheu Thai. "But the majority of votes from younger voters will go to the pro-democracy bloc. They won't switch sides," he said. 

If he's right, those deep seated divisions he cites could resolve themselves by about 2026. At least it's something to look forward to.

You can read the article in its entirety at

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/special-reports/2158083/thailand-2031-a-glimpse-into-the-future

 

 

[Guest]

I agree with your comments.  

Small groups of Eco-conscious travelers is a challenging concept.

I'm fairly sure the biggest component of pollution on my holidays to Thailand is the 12 hour flight from London.   After that, I mostly travel on foot or public transport.    A truly eco-conscious traveler wouldn't take the 12 hour flight.   So do they expect these eco-conscious travellers to arrive from Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos and China by rail ?      From that group of countries, they might only get high volumes from China and in my experience, the Chinese are more inclined to waste and pollute at every possible opportunity.  

Also, I note the C-words do not appear anywhere in the article.   Corruption & Cronyism. 

They mention global warming, but no mention of low lying areas like Bangkok preparing for higher sea levels.

[Boy69]

1 hour ago, z909 said:

Also, I note the C-words do not appear anywhere in the article.   Corruption & Cronyism. 

There is no way these topics Will be mention in the Bangkok Post unless the writer of this post has an uncontrollable urge to be arrested.

[fedssocr]

everybody wants to be Bhutan ("high quality", low quantity tourists). Thailand will struggle to shift so much of its economy away from the tourism sector. What's going to happen to all of those hotels they keep building?

[reader]

9 hours ago, Boy69 said:

There is no way these topics Will be mention in the Bangkok Post unless the writer of this post has an uncontrollable urge to be arrested.

To be fair, the Post has not been shy about acknowledging the existence of corruption and cronyism in the past. And in an opinion piece in today's Thai Enquirer, you'll find the following excerpt:

"Do our politicians even have political beliefs?

Or is it a pu pu platter of electoral promises designed to get them elected so they can reap the most rewards from corruption and cronyism."