THE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CONTEXT OF THAILAND UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF 2017

Abstract

This research had two purposes: (1) To study the context of the Thai economy, society and politics before the election under the Constitution of 2017; and (2) To study the impact on Thai society, economy and politics after the election under the Constitution of 2017. The study found that: (1) The economic, social and political context of Thailand under the Constitution of 2017. Its social context is highly seguential, with an economic slowdown in both competition and investment. Thai politics has two political power groups, the Democratic power group and the Conservative power group; and (2) The impact on society, economy and politics after the election under the Constitution of 2017. The impact on society, economy and politics is entrapment: an increasingly elderly society, with great income disparity and a high unemployment rate. There may be an economic crisis, as occurred in the Asian financial crisis of 1997. The economy determines the political conflict between the two political extremes of the conservative power group and the democratic power group. The two groups need to compromise, make a social contract and establish political institutions, based on the concepts of Rawls on freedom and equality. If there is no justice in Thai society, it will be back to nature, according to Hobbes’ concept and social failure.