What do Thai experts think about Australia’s development program? To find out, the Lab spoke to 40+ top development and foreign policy experts. Here’s what we found.
A short guide to the Pulse Check x Thailand for policymakers
There are a number of big disruptions underway, and these will drastically affect development in every country.
You have 100 points. Allocate your points according to which of the below disruptions are most critical to address in your country.
Things like: the impact on livelihoods, infrastructure and people’s quality of life as the climate changes, the global push to reach net zero and beyond, biodiversity health and resource usage, disaster resilience
Things like: competing powers and their impact on things like trade and economic growth.
Things like: the rapidly growing digital and data economy, and the rise of artificial intelligence and advanced autonomous systems.
Things like: shifting demographics across age, education and healthcare, and rising inequality, gender equality, disability inclusion.
Things like: rapidly changing markets, trade conditions, stability and resilience to shocks, changing job opportunities and emerging industries.
Things like: shifting international norms and state structures, effective functions of the state, and disruptions to the international rules based order.
Things like: global stability and instability, internal conflict, humanitarian crises, external interference, maritime disputes.
Climate change is the most pressing disruption for Thailand, according to the Pulse Check participants. This finding is consistent with those from cohorts surveyed in Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. Rising sea levels, frequent extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, and deforestation are all cited as major challenges that pose risks for Thailand’s agricultural industry, food security and water resource management. Tourism, a major boon for the Thai economy alongside agriculture, is also considered vulnerable to climate change effects, with the potential for natural disasters and environmental degradation to diminish Thailand’s appeal as a holiday destination.
Some respondents maintain reservations about the country’s push towards net-zero emissions for its potential to disrupt development objects if the transition is mismanaged.
Demographic challenges, paired with rising inequality, are the factors causing Pulse Check participants to name ‘changes to the collective human experience’ as the second greatest disruption to development in Thailand. A recurring theme is the strain caused by an ageing population on Thailand’s social security and healthcare systems, emphasising that the country is ‘getting old before getting rich.’
Income inequality emerges as another critical issue. Respondents highlight Thailand’s ranking as one of the most unequal countries globally as well as the ways limited access to education and job opportunities, particularly among young people, create barriers to upward mobility.
Thailand’s geopolitical position is a focal point for many respondents, who noted the country’s strategic location as both an opportunity and a source of disruption. The jostle for global influence between powers, such as the United States, China and Russia, has major implications for Thailand’s economy. Experts mention, for example, China’s investments in Thai industrial and infrastructure projects as both an asset and vulnerability and highlight the disruptive effects protectionist policies and polarised global alliances can have on Thailand.
Domestic instability further compounds these challenges. Several respondents describe Thailand’s political environment as unstable, citing the influence of a military-aligned government and corruption as major barriers to governance and development. These internal tensions were seen as detrimental to the country’s ability to attract and retain foreign investment.
Pulse Check participants identify technological advancements as a double-edged sword for Thailand. While the rise of digitalisation, automation and artificial intelligence have created opportunities, particularly in the finance and banking sectors, they also pose risks for Thailand’s manufacturing workforce, which remains a cornerstone of Thailand’s economy and a major source of employment.
At the same time, some respondents emphasised that unequal access to technology is exacerbating existing socioeconomic disparities, with marginalised populations being left behind in the digital transition. This inequality is further compounded by Thailand’s education system, which, according to Pulse Check participants, has struggled to produce a workforce capable of adapting to technological advancements.
We know that to achieve social and economic development, an effective and accountable state is critical - and this is something that Australia is committed to working with partners on.
You have 100 points. Allocate your points according to where you would focus efforts to enhance social and economic development in your country, using the State Effectiveness Framework.
For example, commercial policy, private sector development, intervention by the state when the market experiences failure or crisis.
For example, a balanced security environment, when police, military and other security institutions are bound by the law and guidelines.
For example, public utilities - including water, electricity and roads.
For example, strong adherence to both formal and informal rules, high levels of predictability and stability of the enforcement of rules, and governance arrangements.
For example, investment in the citizens of a state through education and public health.
For example, strong and transparent forms of public financial management, effective public borrowing, and fiscal management.
For example, addressing barriers to equal opportunities through citizens rights which cut across gender, race, ethnicity, religion, class and location.
For example, state assets (including natural resources [water, land, the environment, extractives] and other intangible benefits [licenses and permits]).
For example, preparedness for disasters, state resiliency against crises such as drought, famine, and catastrophic weather.
For example, public sector management, uniform rules and guidelines, strong reforms to prevent corruption.
Consistent with cohorts surveyed in the Philippines, Timor-Leste, Cambodia and Laos, participants from Thailand see human capital as the factor most essential for driving social and economic development. Many desire to see their state make better investments in education and quality accessible healthcare, given that these are the foundational elements for individual well-being as well as a competitive, resilient and dynamic economy.
In particular, respondents suggest that further efforts are needed by the state to improve technological literacy and rural education quality and access. It is hoped that these steps, alongside vocational training and professional development, will contribute to reduced inequality, bridge skills gaps and prepare the workforce for the demands of a globalised economy.
Many highlight that governance reforms are critical to addressing Thailand’s socioeconomic challenges. Participants frequently call for measures to strengthen public sector management, reduce corruption and enhance the transparency of public finances. These steps were considered essential to improving trust in government institutions and ensuring the efficient delivery of public services.
From the perspective of most participants, improving governance and legal systems is the key to unlocking other crucial state functions, including infrastructure, disaster resilience and market engagement.
Australia's new development policy wants to foster connection between your country and ours. How is this best done within development?
You have 100 points. Allocate your points according to where you think efforts are best placed to bring our countries together through development cooperation.
Support from Australia to back your country's aspirations on things like gender equality, health assistance, rural development and education.
Support from Australia to back your country's aspirations on things like trade, market growth, regulatory reform, small-to-medium enterprise (SME) development and development finance.
Support from Australia to back your country's aspirations on things like peace and security, effective governance, food security, digital and cyber security, law and justice.
Support from Australia to back your country's aspirations on things like remittances, labour mobility, job creation, social and economic policy reform.
Support from Australia to back your country's aspirations on things like scholarships, policy dialogue, cultural exchange and institutional partnerships.
Support from Australia to back your country's aspirations on things like climate adaptation and mitigation, global health crises, transnational crime, joint cooperation in regional and multilateral fora, unregulated migration flows and major demographic changes.
Connecting with Australia through development to strengthen two-way knowledge sharing is highly attractive to Thai participants. This broadly looked like two things: firstly, increasing avenues for policy dialogues or cultural exchanges, and expanding access to Australian tertiary education, including (but not exclusively) through mechanisms like the Australia Awards.
In addition, more educational collaboration, including student and faculty exchange programs, was also frequently cited as a means of strengthening ties between the two nations while hopefully driving innovations on priority issues, such as climate change and technological advancements.
Participants frequently mention the opportunity they see in better connecting with Australia to address shared challenges. Joint projects on renewable energy and green technology development are considered priority areas for cooperation, with Australia’s experience in these fields seen as a valuable resource for Thailand’s transition towards a more sustainable energy system. Australian technical assistance is also valued by experts for its potential to enhance Thailand’s water resource management and climate adaptation.
Public health is another shared concern, with participants calling for greater collaboration on health crises, pandemic preparedness and healthcare innovation. Considering the cross-border nature of these challenges, some respondents also suggest leveraging ASEAN platforms to strengthen regional cooperation.
Respondents identify bilateral trade agreements and targeted investments as key strategies for strengthening economic ties between Thailand and Australia. Many emphasise that investments in renewable energy, technology and infrastructure could drive mutual economic growth and create additional pathways for bilateral knowledge sharing partnerships. Respondents also highlight the potential for these investments to foster small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) development, which could enhance local capacity, create jobs and enhance livelihoods.
Labour mobility was frequently discussed as an area of mutual interest. Some participants noted that many Thai workers seek employment opportunities abroad due to better wages and living conditions, and Australia is one attractive location. They hope that expanding opportunities like this could improve living standards for Thai workers while simultaneously addressing labour shortages in Australia.
Australia works with your country through development cooperation in a variety of ways. What would you like to see here?
Australia works with Thailand through regional development cooperation. How would you re-allocate Australia's regional development spending in Thailand across these categories using your 100 points?
Including policy and research to support economic growth, emerging industries and job markets, banking and financial services.
Including transport and storage, larger water, communications.
Including agriculture, fisheries and forestry, industry and mining and mineral resources.
Including policy and enabling markets.
Including governance programming, policy reforms, civil society strengthening, social protection measure and infrastructure.
Including support for feminist organisations and movements, support for disability organisations and services.
Including basic, secondary and higher education and scholarships.
Including basic health, infrastructure and basic water and sanitation.
Including climate mitigation and adaptation, energy infrastructure, environmental protection and management.
Including emergency response, disaster prevention and preparedness .
Participants consider Australia to have a comparative advantage in delivering education sector support. This finding is consistent with insights shared by Pulse Check cohorts from across Southeast Asia, all of whom named education as one of the top three sectors in which they would most like to see Australian support.
Some Thai experts suggest that Australia could lend its expertise to improve access, inclusivity and quality of education (especially at tertiary, technical and vocational levels). Others re-emphasise that expanding opportunities for Thais to access Australian tertiary institutions – including through scholarship programs, collaborative research initiatives – is an attractive avenue to better share knowledge and expertise in areas like technology, healthcare, environmental science and renewable energy. Participants stress that aligning educational programs with these emerging industries would help Thailand build as killed workforce capable of driving economic growth and competitiveness.
Pulse Check participants want to see a greater focus on climate adaptation and resilience across Australia’s regional programming. Leveraging Australian expertise in advanced irrigation systems, water resource management and renewable energy technologies (particularly solar and wind power) is attractive to many experts.
Sustainable agriculture is another area of interest. Participants suggest Australia could provide valuable support to enhance food security and develop adaptive crops suited to changing environmental conditions, conserve biodiversity and address coastal erosion.
Thai participants want to see cooperation with Australia in pursuit of transparent institutions and more effective governance. Some suggest that Australian governance practices could serve as a model for improving Thailand’s systems, particularly in terms of reducing corruption, improving transparency and accountability and improving regulatory frameworks. Others focused more on the constructive role a partner like Australia could play in supporting civil society organisations, helping to bridge gaps between communities and policymakers and ensuring that diverse voices are represented in the development process.
There is demand for greater cooperation with Australia on trade through its Southeast Asia regional development portfolio. Many participants note the importance of diversifying Thailand’s export markets and improving digital trade policies. They emphasised the potential for fostering market access for Thai products in Australia—particularly in the agriculture and technology sectors—and the need for capacity-building programs to enhance the competitiveness of SMEs in global markets. Some also draw attention to a pressing need to modernise transportation and logistics systems to better facilitate trade and regional integration.
While some Pulse Check participants want to see trade support comprise a significant component of Australia’s regional development cooperation, others are at pains to say it’s ‘not as immediately pressing as issues like climate adaptation, social protection, or inclusive education and equality initiatives.’
Alongside what is included in Australia's development cooperation with your country, we're interested in your views on how Australia delivers partnership.
You have 100 points. Allocate your points according to where you think Australia should focus to enhance its partnership with your country as part of regional development cooperation.
Working in selective sectors where Australia can best assist your country, and doing it well. Perhaps operating in a less visible way, and much more impact-oriented.
Working at the forefront of development challenges and working with partners to get ahead of big, new challenges to development. Developing specific capabilities in response to development disruptions decades ahead.
Working with partners to leverage Australian expertise, and knowledge, and working with your country's knowledge ecosystem to solve the most difficult development challenges.
Connected to your communities, not just your Government. Australia as a whole-of-nation partner that connects across different levels: for example universities, businesses, and organisations. Squarely focused on delivering development outcomes for people and communities.
Working to back Australia's development partner's aspirations through things like ASEAN, multilateral arenas, and through bilateral arrangements.
Thai experts emphasised that Australia taking a ‘whole-of-nation’ approach, which leverages connections across governments, universities, businesses and civil society, would position it well for a more inclusive and lasting partnership. The importance of building trust and fostering cultural exchange is also frequently mentioned. Respondents want to see Australia working more directly with Thai communities– not just the state - which they see as crucial for ensuring that development initiatives address local needs and priorities.
Some Pulse Check participants believe Australian technical expertise can make an important contribution in tackling Thailand’s complex development challenges. Australian expertise in areas like healthcare, renewable energy, climate resilience, agriculture and digital transformation can help Thailand address critical gaps and build capacity, according to this cohort. Therefore, collaborative solutions that integrate Australian expertise with local knowledge are viewed as essential for achieving practical and context-sensitive outcomes.
By and large Pulse Check participants deprioritised a partnership model wherein Australia puts a greater focus on engagement in forums like ASEAN for the purpose of backing their state’s social and economic aspirations. This is consistent with findings from Pulse Check surveys across six other Southeast Asian countries.
