AI In-brief 11 Sept 03:11

State of the Thai economy: Calm before the storm?

Thailand's GDP grew 2.8% in Q1 2026, exceeding expectations, driven by strong private investment (up 10.1%), a rebound in tourism, and robust high-tech exports.
Despite positive Q1 data, economists warn of a 'calm before the storm,' citing the delayed impact of rising oil prices from the Iran war, global economic slowdowns, and persistent high household debt.
The recovery is 'K-shaped,' with high-tech sectors thriving while traditional industries and grassroots economies struggle, indicating Thailand's slower and less flexible economic structure compared to its Asian counterparts.

AI In-brief Yesterday 22:16

Washington has a plan for Myanmar. Who can deliver it?

The U.S. has unveiled a renewed engagement strategy for Myanmar, aiming to end the conflict by July 2030, focusing on security cooperation, accessing critical rare earth minerals, and combating scam centers, alongside commercial opportunities for American businesses.
A significant challenge to Washington's plan is that Myanmar's military government, which the U.S. must engage, does not control the country's primary rare-earth production sites; these are held by ethnic armed groups like the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) that are actively fighting the military.
Myanmar's highly fragmented conflict landscape, with numerous ethnic armed organizations and resistance groups, complicates Washington's multi-stakeholder approach, especially given China and Russia's deep-rooted influence and existing presence in the country.
Neighboring Thailand is proactively engaging with both the military junta and specific ethnic armed groups to facilitate dialogue and address cross-border issues, often naming key stakeholders that Washington refers to more broadly, highlighting a more direct regional diplomatic approach.