Bangkok: Associate Professor Dr. Ath Pisalvanich has criticized Thai political parties for their focus on populist strategies while neglecting vital geopolitical challenges. As highlighted on the "Good Morning ASEAN" program on MCOT NEWS FM 100.5, he argued that the parties' policies emphasize economic relief but fail to address the global geopolitical issues that influence commodity prices, production chains, and investments.

According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Ath pinpointed the policies of the United States during Donald Trump's administration, which prioritize military security, energy resource control, and a shift to bilateral negotiations to protect US interests through tariffs and sanctions. He urged Thai political entities to adapt swiftly to the polarized global environment by repositioning Thailand on the international stage. Dr. Ath stressed the importance of transparency to show Thailand as a genuine production base rather than a mere transit point to evade tariffs, especially in dealings with the United States.

In terms of Thailand's relationship with China, Dr. Ath suggested leveraging geographical proximity to attract technology and integrate into production chains, rather than allowing Chinese capital to dominate. For Europe and India, he proposed a "China Plus One" strategy to draw production bases from China to Thailand and enhance market connectivity through new free trade agreements.

Dr. Ath also highlighted the necessity for internal reforms to establish Thailand as a "neutral state," which could lead to greater benefits than remaining stagnant. This involves accelerating workforce capability development, increasing research and development budgets, and modernizing bureaucratic systems and laws to boost competitiveness. Additionally, he emphasized the urgency of preparing for the aging society crisis to ensure sustainable economic growth amid global uncertainties.