THAILAND TODAY
the most recent political troubles, which are partly due to the impend-
ing power vacuum that will result after his passing and the power-con-
solidating eff orts of then-prime minister Thaksin. Beginning in 2006,
the anti-Thaksin faction adopted the colour yellow, which is the colour
associated with the king’s birthday, to signal their allegiance with the
political interests of the monarchy.
Losing the king will be a national tragedy: he has ruled for more than
60 years and defi ned through his life what many regarded as the mod-
ern Thai man (educated, family-oriented, philanthropic and even styl-
ish). The heir apparent, his son the Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, has
assumed many of the royal duties his father previously performed but
the ongoing political problems complicate a smooth transfer of crown
from father to son.Tefl on Economy
From an economic perspective, you’d never know that Thailand is so
politically divided. The former Asian tiger economy has moved into the
new millennium as a Tefl on economy: misfortune doesn’t seem to stick.
Outside forces – the global recession, a weakening US dollar – had some
negative eff ects on the economy. In 2008 to 2009, manufacturing and
exports, which constitute about half of GDP, took a dip but rebounded
a year later with a growth rate that rivalled the boom times of the mid-
1990s. With or without democracy, investors remain confi dent in the
country, and tourism continues to grow despite the bloody Bangkok
clashes in 2010. High growth is expected for 2011, meaning that unem-
ployment remains relatively low and that Thais continue to experience
stable and increasing standards of living. Modernisation marches on.Thais who want
to show that they
love the king but
don’t want to
claim a political
identity now wear
pink shirts as a
neutral colour. On
his most recent
public appear-
ance, the king
himself also wore
a pink shirt.