Thailand still has chance to shine

Thailand’s economy is losing momentum. Growth rates have steadily declined, from 7.2% in 2012 to just 1.9% in 2023. Without a new vision for development, the country faces the real possibility of becoming stuck in permanent stagnation. The absence of bold leadership and structural reform has left Thailand vulnerable, while its regional peers — Singapore, China, and South Korea — surge ahead. These countries have demonstrated that visionary and compassionate leadership, combined with political reform and good governance, can transform the economic fortunes of an entire nation.

- Peerasit Kamnuansilpa

Thailand does not lack rhetoric. For years, it has emphasised the need for public sector reform and established the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission to advance this agenda. In 2014, the military seized power under the pretext of initiating political reform. That justification resonated with some citizens who believed Thailand needed anew direction. A decade after, the promised reform remains elusive. Corruption persists. The bureaucracy is bloated and opaque. The economy is sluggish. In the time it has taken Thailand to go nowhere, Estonia, a once impoverished post-Soviet republic, has leveraged digital governance to catapult itself into the ranks of high-income nations.

This contrast is stark. Estonia embraced digital transformation with urgency and purpose. It rebuilt its public administration around digital tools, not only to improve efficiency but also to reduce corruption, increase citizen trust, and enhance economic competitiveness. Citizens can now vote, pay taxes, and access most public services online. Government agencies are accountable and interoperable. What Estonia achieved in a little over a decade, Thailand has failed to match in nearly double the time.

Thailand still has a chance to change course. However, it must begin by acknowledging a harsh truth: the current system is flawed. Political inertia, bureaucratic self-interest, and a culture of impunity persistently hinder reform. Digital technology, if properly harnessed, offers a path forward. It can enhance transparency by leaving a digital footprint, an auditable trail that deters irregularities, bribery, and venality. It reduces transaction costs, speeds up service delivery, and creates an environment conducive to investment and innovation. In short, digital governance offers a shortcut to economic efficiency and integrity.