APEC Missed Opportunities 2003 vs 2022

The first was during the reign of Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun in 1992, the second time under Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2003, and the third this year, which is almost 20 years from that time already.

20 years is a very long time. Looking back at APEC in 2003, when George W. Bush was the leader of the United States meeting Vladimir Putin, the Russian leader, and Hu Jintao who was still the president of China. At that time, China’s economy was doing well and showing signs of becoming a world leader. While Thailand is in the period of the most prosperous democracy.

If the personal issue is removed It can be said that our democracy is the most flowery and international standard. Because the new constitution at that time (BE.E. 2540) was considered a people’s constitution with a lot of respect for the rights and freedom of the people. There are more mechanisms to check state power than ever before. There is devolution to the local And most importantly, respect the voice of the people. The senators are elected and do not have the power to vote for the Prime Minister.

Although many people think But it cannot be said that the coup d’état has stopped the economic development of Thailand. But what can be said for sure is to stop the development of democracy and retrograde undemocratic rules. unchecked use of power Abolish local elections and authorize unelected parliamentarians.

So, it can be said that more than 20 years ago we are back and many streams believe This is one reason why we are not as prosperous as we should be.

Democracy is as necessary as the ability of the leaders to run a country. Although democracy is not the whole reason for the country’s prosperity. It can be seen from the case of China and Vietnam that the countries have continued to develop during the last 20 years, and there has been a significant development which is different from Thailand. People can despise the dictator. But the people were more afraid of hunger.

More than 20 years later, Thailand’s dream to be Asia’s fifth tiger is still a dream. And probably not the fifth one because other countries have already developed very far, such as China and South Korea.

If you cut the picture back to APEC 2003, where the number 1 leader of each country was photographed in the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall and the magnificent display of the Royal Boat Parade. Or even OTOP products are believed to be memorable images that are hard to forget. These press images of greatness are fame. and fame is money because it attracts tourists to Thailand

Compared to this year’s APEC, in terms of symbolic public relations, it seems that there is nothing that will be an obvious landmark or create recognition or that will be used for commercial purposes. tourism for the country Not to mention the case of the delegation of the presidents of the United States and Russia.

Thai people are not the only countries that hold the motto of keeping their appearance. Keep that image as the top priority. Especially on a national level “You can’t be embarrassed.” So, choosing to go to your niece’s wedding instead of flying to Thailand So, it’s worth thinking about the importance of Thailand in the eyes of the United States because President Joe Biden is meeting in Bali. After going to a meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, he is called near Bangkok. But still not close enough to gain importance.

It is right that we Thai people should pay attention to the content. But all these trivial things make you think a lot. The image of the country in the eyes of the international community is no less important than the content of what the Thai people will receive from this round of meetings.