This week marks the 82nd birthday of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is loved and revered highly by many Thais. With ailing health and a short leave from the hospital, the King gave a brief speech December 5 stating that his happiness and prosperity would be assured if Thailand flourished and was in a normal and stable situation. The question is will Thailand be an anchor in Southeast Asia or a hot spot of insecurity?
In recent history, Thailand found itself as a hub in Southeast Asia for business, foreign relations and tourism. It's neighboring countries, such as Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, were closed to business development and tourism. The region has changed dramatically over the last twenty years with these communist countries embracing market economy.
Vietnam's business acumen has escalated, establishing strong service and manufacturing businesses as well as development of beach resorts and tourism throughout the country. Cambodia, with its architectural wonders of Angkor Wat complex, is now a major tourist destination as well as Laos with the city of Luang Prabang.
Thailand has competition now with its neighbors as well as continuing internal strife. The country is politically divided, corruption is rampant, economy is significantly down due to lower exports, human trafficking is escalating, recent border disputes with Cambodia are ongoing, drug issues in the North continue and the growing Muslim insurgency in the South bordering Malaysia is troubling.
As the region shifts and relationships change, Thailand needs to define a new role. It starts with stabilizing the government but must go way beyond that. Throughout history when countries feel weak, they tend to lash out, become defensive and chaos ensues. Thailand has acted in a predictable manner. But instead of feeling weak, Thailand can seize this as an opportunity to reassess and reflect on its future, find its identity and forge ahead confidently. And in doing this, would ensure a better position. Of course, this is a tall order for where Thailand is today. True leadership and direction is needed; hopefully, Thailand has visionaries among its people that can heal the divide and set a course for a stable future.