태국 2018: 군부의 ‘불완전한’ 민간정부 복귀를 위한 막바지 준비

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 2018 and propose its future prospects. In 2018, Thailand made preparations for all-out election campaign fights with each of the parties electing their head and a new party being formed. The most important issue in the country's politics in 2018 was the general election schedule to transfer power to civil government. In 2017, the military regime of Thailand postponed a general election several times even though it was impossible to transfer power to civil government “fully” based on the Constitution. They needed confidence that an “incomplete” civil government to ensure the maintenance of the current military system, would be possible even after a general election. As the Thai government promised to hold a general election, the country's political relations with the U.S.A. and EU improved. In 2018, the nation's economy recorded the highest growth rate in recent six years, continuing to grow after the previous year. It seemed that the EEC economic development plan proposed by the current military government in the early days of its rule made progress in 2018. In infrastructure development under the plan, in particular, the nation's economic collaboration with China became even closer. After a general election, the diplomatic relations and economy of Thailand will be under the direct and indirect influence of stable transfer of power to civil government, if possible, and policy directions of the new government. There is much attention to its future course.