Thailand’s future: turning neutrality into opportunity

Time to build on a strong foundation as a trusted trade and investment partner. By Dr Nalinee Taveesin

- Dr Nalinee Taveesin

Thailand stands at a defining moment. The world around us is changing fast — in trade, technology and geopolitics. Yet amid this flux, Thailand’s enduring strengths remain clear: a strategic location at the heart of Asia, strong logistics and industrial networks and a steady hand in diplomacy.

These qualities have long underpinned our success. Now, they can become the foundation for our next phase of growth — if we use them wisely.

Global trade is no longer defined by a single dominant bloc. The rise of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the expanding influence of BRICS are reshaping the world’s economic geography. Meanwhile, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) continues to set global benchmarks for governance, transparency and sustainable development.

Thailand is well-positioned to engage with all sides. We are already a key member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and of the RCEP — Asia's largest integrated market — and we have opened constructive dialogues with both the OECD and BRICS economies.

This balanced approach is not about hedging; it is about creating options. Each framework offers distinct advantages: OECD cooperation enhances governance and investor confidence, CPTPP accession would deepen access to high-standard markets, and BRICS engagement expands investment and commodity channels across emerging economies.

Within this ecosystem, Asean remains our anchor. With a combined population of 670 million and a collective GDP approaching $3.7 trillion, Asean’s economy is projected to grow roughly 25% faster than the global average. This dynamism makes the region one of the world’s most attractive markets — and positions Thailand, at its centre, as both a production base and a connector.