태국 2019: 표면적 민간정부로의 복귀와 정치, 경제, 대외관계

Abstract

The purposes of this study are to examine the major characteristics and trends of Thailand in politics, economy, diplomacy, and relations with South Korea in 2019 and propose its future prospects. Thailand held a general election in March, 2019 in eight years to restore itself to civilian rule. Contrary to predictions, the Palang Pracharath Party supported by the military won the most votes in the election. In June of the same year, Prayuth Chan-o-cha was elected as Prime Minister after winning a majority support in the lower and upper house. The outcome was due to the participation of 250 members of the upper house designated by the military after the constitutional revision of 2017 in the election along with 500 members of the lower house. Thailand was, in practice, kept under the rule of the military regime even though the military government was replaced with the civilian government on the surface. Thailand's economic growth rate, which was recovering gradually for a couple of years, recorded the lowest point in five years in 2019. Although tourist income made an increase from the previous year, exports & imports and investments made a decrease with baht rising sharply. As for its foreign relations, Thailand continued to maintain friendly relations with China, with which it became close both politically and economically after the military regime began in 2014. Thailand started to make a move to improve its relations with the U.S.A. in 2018 and kept its collaborating relations with the U.S.A. around the military field amid the West's concerns with its undemocratic political situations. The year of 2019 witnessed very active diplomatic relations between South Korea and Thailand. On September 2, President Moon Jae-in made an official visit to Thailand as the head of the nation in seven years. In November, Thailand visited South Korea and participated in the KOREA-ASEAN Special Summit held in Busan as the chair country of ASEAN. In 2019, the Korean Wave continued to enjoy its popularity in Thailand, and a good number of Thai dramas were organized at South Korean cable broadcasting stations. The year saw the reconfirmation of possibilities for mutual cultural exchanges between the two nations.