Towns and businesses must adapt: academics

Kasetsart University academics say geopolitics and Thailand-Cambodia border tensions have reminded Thais of the need to “prepare for a rainy day”.

- JUTAMAS TADTHIEMROM

During the “War of Powers: From Poipet Ridge to the Middle East Desert” seminar, organised by KU Radio Thailand recently, academics from Kasetsart University pondered how the Middle East conflicts, the rising oil prices and border trade, and the Thailand-Cambodia border tensions, will shape a new political and economic reality of all Thais.

Speaking on the heated standoff at the border between Thai and Cambodian troops in recent months, Asst Prof Lalita Hanwong said the fire had been fanned on social media by “urbanites” happy to “leave locals at the border to bear the true costs of danger and suffering”.