Learning from the past, the Abhisit government has already implemented several populist measures such as universal healthcare, special bonuses for senior citizens, and free education for 15 years including textbooks and uniforms.
It is hopeful that through political reform, the government can begin to address serious issues that polarized the Thai society in the past three years. An independent special committee on political reform will be established soon to recommend new ideas to make Thai politics more democratic and participatory. Within weeks and months, Abhisit has to deal firmly with those who broke the law, regardless of the political groups they belong to.
Regionally, his tasks are equally difficult. Thailand needs to reassure ASEAN countries that Bangkok is ready to host the remaining ASEAN-related summits for the rest of the year. For the next eight months, Bangkok is scheduled to host the ASEAN foreign ministerial meeting and in October, the 15th ASEAN summit. Abhisit and his diplomatic team need to restore confidence among ASEAN colleagues and persuade disappointed East Asian leaders to return to Bangkok one more time.
Further delay of cooperation between ASEAN and East Asia would hamper economic cooperation and recovery that has been on the drawing board. Non-Asian economies affected by the global financial crunch have looked toward the region as an example. At the London Summit in the UK early this month, Abhisit, on behalf of ASEAN, shared the past ASEAN experience in tackling the Asian economic meltdown.
It is imperative that the Abhist-led government retain its current ASEAN chairmanship and reaffirm its commitment to host remaining summits. Bangkok has to work hard to regain the ASEAN consensus once more. ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan trusted that Thailand's resourcefulness would be able to put into good use and overcome all obstacles. He said the Thai government must immediately consult with the ASEAN Coordinating Council, which makes up all ASEAN foreign ministers, and the Jakarta-based secretariat on appropriate steps to be taken.
Earlier, Indonesia became the first ASEAN member to express interest in hosting the East Asia Summit for Thailand. The urgency from an economic quagmire could force Thailand to pass on the privilege to other countries. Unless Thailand in the next few days can persuade ASEAN colleagues that peace and security has been restored and stability will be sustained, Thailand's chance to host remaining summits will be very slim.
Beyond the region, Thailand needs to ensure that its economic infrastructure and investment have the support of the international community and financial institutions such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. Like many other Asian countries, Thailand has suffered from receding exports to the US and Europe, as well as dwindling foreign investment.
Thailand must utilize the same kind of spirit and resilience shown during the economic crisis in 1997-98 to push for faster recovery. The economic malaise in the region is far bigger and more devastating than before. So it needs to cooperate with other East Asian countries to ensure their economic policies and planning are well coordinated and complementary with the rest of the region.
The author, Kavi Chongkittavorn, is assistant group editor of Nation Multimedia Group, publisher of Bangkok-based English-language The Nation.
(China Daily April 17, 2009)
