In Thailand, the most consistent theme of the past five chaotic and even bloody years has been the unfailing will of Thai voters to remain focused on being empowered to choose leaders they believe will deliver value — economically, socially and politically. While the response from important Thai institutions such as the military and monarchy remains to be seen, it appears that the people’s mandate may actually be the key to unlocking the political stability that has been so elusive in Thailand over the last several years.
If that is the case, and Thailand retains stability and works toward reconciliation, then ASEAN and its partners would benefit significantly.
ASEAN has been quietly suffering in its efforts to move toward its stated goals of political, economic and cultural integration for several reasons, predominantly the ugly thorn of Burma. The second largest barrier has been the fact that Thailand, the very country in which ASEAN was founded in 1967, has been embroiled in domestic political infighting and unable to play its role as one of the ‘core five’ members of the regional grouping. Indeed, Thailand’s Machiavellian politics have, at least in part, resulted in conflict with its neighbour Cambodia, and directly undercut the narrative of ASEAN unity.