Commentary

An article titled How Thailand became the ‘sick man’ of Asia, published by the Financial Times on February 3rd, 2026, has drawn considerable attention among Thai economists. It documented the Thailand’s anaemic growth,  slowdowns in consumption, manufacturing and tourism, and the mounting pressures on household incomes and national stability. Structural weaknesses have deepened. Thailand, Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, has been stuck in a low-growth trap of roughly 2% for the past five years.

Household debt in Thailand has long been elevated and escalated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The debt-to-GDP ratio peaked at 95.5% in early 2021 before easing slightly to about 90%

As “Vietnam overtaking Thailand” headlines persist, Thai reactions are shifting from urgency to resignation—sometimes even cheering Vietnam on—raising new concerns over competitiveness and complacency.

A Thammasat scholar says Gambia’s Rohingya genocide case at the World Court has legal weight, but enforcement would face major political limits

Last year was challenging for ASEAN. Its leaders struggled to find viable solutions to addressing the on-going conflict in Myanmar, while border clashes between Cambodia and Thailand were a jarring reminder of long-standing territorial disputes and cultural tensions that historically beset the region.

Thailand registered 416,000 births in 2025, the second year below 500,000 and the lowest in 75 years. With elections near, parties are urged to offer long-term population policy.

A new “Republic of Kawthoolei” declaration raises questions over KTLA’s break from the Karen movement—and whether independence is feasible.

Israeli Ambassador Alona Fisher-Kamm reflects on the return of Sudthisak Rinthalak’s body on December 10, 2025, and calls for remembrance and solidarity against terror.

Thailand–Cambodia dispute shifts to ceasefire talks, but analysts warn peace won’t be 100% while Hun Sen remains influential

Security scholar Panitan urges Thailand to end its Cambodia border war fast, before US steps in with tariffs and turns it into a proxy conflict

Thai F-16 strikes reportedly hit BM-21 rocket depot linked to ‘godfather’ Hing Bun Hieng as elite BHQ officers are killed in fierce Preah Vihear clashes

Cambodia is quietly ramping up lobbying in Washington to push Donald Trump to demand a Thai ceasefire, fearing a long war could erode Hun family power

Global leaders, from Naoto Kan to Victor Ponta, have resigned after disasters as a sign of accountability. In contrast, Thailand’s political system often shields leaders from such pressure, even in the face of major crises like the southern floods.