Singapore: why it's done well

Khun Songdej Praditsmanont laments that Singapore is leading Thailand in every aspect, and praises Lee Kuan Yew’s autocratic style as key to that success. This is like attributing Bill Gates’s success to his dropping out of Harvard.
Singapore (about 1.3 times the size of Phuket) started out in 1965 with a population of about 1.9 million – mostly wide-eyed immigrants with no shared history. Unlike Thais, Singaporeans have no long glorious history to rest on and be complacent about.
Moreover, its strategic location and natural harbour helped. It is at the mouth of the Malacca Strait, where 40 percent of world maritime trade passes. Credit was given to British diplomat Stamford Raffles, who founded the town as a key trading post in early 19th century.
Finally, without natural resources, Mr Lee welcomed foreign trade and investment. Multinationals found Singapore a natural hub and were encouraged to expand and prosper. I credited Mr Lee for his vision, honesty and efficiency.
One may wonder if Mr Lee were Thai leader, would he make Thailand prosperous like Singapore?
Somsak Pola