There's always something to look up to

Thailand has been dazzled by Singapore’s economic success. Singapore is home to many regional headquarters of multinational firms. Continuity in development policies have promised and delivered growth, and unsurprisingly, in Southeast Asia, Singapore’s per-capita income is the highest. While Singapore looks even further to overtake Western countries, its neighbours in Asean are left with an immense feeling of envy.

Likewise, in terms of economic success, Thailand remains inferior to Malaysia. Our country is struggling to escape the “middle-income trap”, but that can be achieved only when we overcome the deep social divisions that keep derailing the national agenda. In Malaysia, with the election victory of the Barisan Nasional government, the long-term plan to turn Malaysia into a high-income economy before 2020 can be continued to fruition. 

Strong economic fundamentals have convinced three top ratings agencies to maintain Singapore and Malaysia’s credit ratings in the “A” scale. 

It may take a while longer for Thailand – whose ratings are in the top range of the “B” scale – to move up to the level enjoyed now by Singapore and Malaysia now. Yet, in the rest of Asean, Thailand is still the envy of our neighbours. 

A recent conversation with Indonesian diplomats revealed that they are fascinated with our success in sports development. Thai golf courses are world-class, allowing the country to collect higher green fees than those in Indonesia. In football, Thailand has a professional national tournament, the Thailand Premier League. Badminton, in particular, dazzled the diplomats. Thai players’ rise in the global rankings has been spectacular.

“We look forward to establishing some kind of agreement to seek assistance from Thailand in sports. Probably, we can borrow the coaches,” said one diplomat, who may have forgetten that Thailand also needs to import coaches for some sports.

The Indonesian diplomats were also impressed with Thailand’s achievement in promoting the Asean Economic Community (AEC) to its people.

 “Some of our people know about the AEC. But in Thailand students at the secondary level already have that knowledge,” another diplomat said.

People in Laos also want more assistance from Thailand. The Laos Securities Exchange was established with advice from the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Now, some securities companies are establishing joint ventures there, where technology and knowledge transfer is promised.

During a recent visit by the Thai-Laos Friendship Association, chaired by Virabongsa Ramangkura, Lao people in Hongsa sub-district eagerly waited to greet Thai businessmen. Virabongsa did a good job in strengthening ties. He might have a sharp tongue when the conversation involves the Bank of Thailand, but he spoke to the Lao people – who presented him with a basket of fresh vegetables – in a very kind way in their own language, as if he were a native speaker. 

 “I will have these vegetables cooked, and when I eat them, I will think of your hospitality,” he said.

A businessman admitted that the association has indeed improved bilateral relations. Lao people’s sentiments had been negative, as they feared being taken advantage of. Now, they know that Thailand is here to help. (The Hongsa power plant spent a lot to build a 35-kilometre, four-lane road from Huay Kone checkpoint to Hongsa sub-district, on top of other social and environmental programmes.) 

Thailand also has a lot to offer another neighbour, Myanmar. Some Thai companies are making forays into the country – something that will create jobs and lift the quality of life for some people in Myanmar. Many Thais now dream of making a trip to Myanmar, thanks to more flights from Bangkok. Corporate and individual trips to Myanmar are generating hard-earned foreign income for the emerging nation, which is still struggling with many bottlenecks. 

One Myanmar guide did not conceal his envy of Thailand when he talked about past glorious days of his country. When the country was at peace, Myanmar had its own oil company, he said. Now, Myanmar has to import technology to tap into such resources, he added, acknowledging that the country has to export natural gas even when it is in dire need of energy.

What can we offer to Cambodia? There are some things, but they are unfortunately overshadowed by the age-old dispute over land around the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear. In due time, road projects funded by Thailand and suspended in light of the dispute, will be revived. 

Likewise, a “big” nation like Singapore is ready to help Thailand, in areas that it is acclaimed for, like aviation.

Yes, eventually, we will all understand that we can’t prosper while our neighbours are struggling. We can learn from others and others can learn from us. And only then will we prosper together.