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Thaksin Shinawatra in Private Discussion
World Policy Institute Global Leader Briefing Series Thinking Points
World Policy Institute, 9th March 2016, New York

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Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I must thank you World Policy Institute for providing me an opportunity to share my thought on the challenges that revolve around the economic, regional and global implications of how Thailand will make its way through a period of transition and change.

We all know that no society in the twenty-first century can sustain any form of “progress” in the well-being of its people without at least two basic foundations:
The first one is political stability. The second one is the ability to create economic activities that allow growth and readiness to shift its creativities to sustain wealth.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me tell you the tale of the two cities, which is not written by Charles Dickens. It is the tale of parallel progress of Washington D.C. and Beijing. Each has its own history, pain and loathing. As the years go by, the two cities have been seen as rivals which offers competing models for growth and prosperity.

One is Free Market-Capitalism with the so-called “Open Democracy” as the foundation of its economic model. The other one is State-Led Capitalism with the central control system by one party.

Both of the models have proven to be successful in a very dramatic way from the past to the present. Admitting that the Chinese model was fitting to the change of attitude among the leadership of the country at that time, in parallel with the change of economic model in the West, in which the definition of “free trade” benefits China’s shifting position from a close market to a semi-open market.

But we must admit also that both models are now having to adjust itself to the new reality; the reality of dramatic change in speed and character of technology for industrial production; the change from “a country-based product” to “network of global design, global sourcing,and global production for just one product”. This extraordinary change upends the “normal” internal economic adjustment of the country and made it very difficult to find a simple economic adjustment.

We must recognize that advancement in the wealth management technique and technology also upend the normal linkage between capital and changes in production. However, we probably agree, that one common threat for survival in this present so-called “New Normal” is either you have the ability and willingness to change or you don’t. Thailand, like the other countries, cannot get away from this New Normal in the international context.

Ladies and Gentleman,

There is a tale of a poor English teacher in China who soared to the list of the world’s wealthiest people. He neither built a big factory nor invested in any production facility. But, people paid for his service simply to reach the network of supply and demand on a grand scale. I believe, he must feel thank you to the internet.

Ladies and Gentleman,

Amid the global economic slowdown, the pattern of trade has significantly changed. Due to the development of information technology infrastructure and increasing number of population who is able to access to the internet, e-commerce has become a new engine that sustains growth for both developed and developing economies. According to UNCTAD’s report last year, the value of global business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce in 2013 exceeded $15 trillion USD. While global business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce still accounted for an estimated $1.2 trillion USD, this segment has grown at a rapid pace; especially in the Asia and Oceania region where B2C segment is expected to surge from 20 to 37 percent between 2013 to 2018. Due to the incremental growth of cross-border e-commerce trade, international postal deliveries of small packets and parcels have risen by 48 percent between 2011 to 2014 globally.

For both Asia and the West, I believe these numbers provide us with clues for the new growth opportunities where “access to networks” is the key: meaning, the networks of consumers and factors of production across geographical boundaries. Unlike the economy of twentieth century when “access to centers” is the rules of the game, today, businessmen who do not have big factories and are not the owners of multinational corporations, can manage to reach and satisfy the needs of their customers worldwide through networks of production and distribution with an assist of the new communication technology. Today’s economy is increasingly decentralized. Consumption and production are more and more dispersed. We could imagine that an American producers can sell their products online directly to consumers in the western part of China without having to spend business hours in Beijing or Shanghai. Vice versa, a Chinese producer can bypass New York to offer their products to customers in New England and Mid-Atlantic states. The network economy has provided the people, both in small and large businesses, with the ability to produce and access to consumers at lower costs. We, as a global community, must put special emphasis on how each country can invest and share risk with the people to create growth collectively.

Ladies and Gentleman,

Another tale is about the rebirth of a road that nobody cares since the Portuguese discovered a possible sea route from Europe to Asia. The Portuguese did offer an alternative trade route with substantial margins for the goods carried. Although you might lose half of the cargoes on the way, you still did not lose your shirt. Since the demand for spices were overwhelming, the merchant marines heavily charge everybody.

Ladies and Gentleman,

The heavy-load transport through the sea has been with us till now, and the land routes from Asia to Europe have been neglected. If the world’s economy is thriving like the good old days, probably, not so many people would be interested in finding an alternative in life. But, since the situation goes awry, I believe, any country should consider all possibilities.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, there are two major initiatives that, I think, have great potential to accelerate growth and leverage “quality of growth” that brought into being by the emergence of network economy. One is the China-led “One Belt, One Road” (OBOR) plan to develop transport and logistics connectivity encompassed some 60 countries, which include about 50 percent of the world’s GDP. And, the other is the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) between 12 Pacific Rim countries, which account for more than 40 percent of the world’s GDP. I have not seen these two initiatives as antagonistic, but rather a kind of two parallel processes that, at a certain point, will create mutual economic benefits for Asia and the West.

We must overcome the stereotype that perceive China and the US as merely the two opposing political superpowers. In reality, the economic development during the past decade has shown us how far these two major economies are interdependent. China is the largest foreign holder of US government securities with $1.24 trillion USD worth. With the total trade volume of $521 billion USD in 2014, the US is China’s biggest trade partner. Total US foreign direct investment (FDI) in China stood at $65.77 billion USD at the end of 2014, while the Chinese FDI in the US is estimated to have reach $11.9 billion USD.

Given this interdependence in mind, I believe Southeast Asia- the region that sits in between the two great initiatives of the two major economies- must put special emphasis on how to enhance the mutual economic benefits with its counterparts. For Southeast Asia in the twenty-first century, the geopolitics should be about how to reinforce the networks of wealth creation for the people that stretch across national and regional borders.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me tell you the last tale about a Thai restaurant. No matter how many times the master chef tries to teach his protege, the young man keeps making mistakes in mixing the ingredients. Customers are kept waiting, hungry and mad. Once the customers are served, half of them get diarrhea afterward. The moral of this tale is one must make the written recipe right.

Ladies and gentlemen,

While some people may underline the unique characteristics of Thailand in terms of its history and developmental path, the country itself cannot avoid to come to terms with the global challenges of the twenty-first century. For half a century, the Thai economy has incrementally integrated into global economy. Values of Thailand’s exports per GDP and FDI in the country have shown us clearly how far the growth of Thai economy has been interwoven with the fate of global economy.

Against this context, we shall consider Thailand’s draft constitution with a very simple question: will the latest draft constitution “enable” the country to grow and become stronger in the present world? Or, will the latest draft constitution provide Thailand with a sufficient institutional infrastructure for investment, production, cooperation, and businesses?

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Due to the framework set out by the latest draft constitution, it is difficult to foresee a government that is responsive to the people and the challenges of the twenty-first century. According to the new draft, the 200-seat upper house, or Senate, will be appointed by the so-called “experts”. The Senate will also have greater powers to block legislation. Regarding the Constitutional Court, its scope of jurisdiction will be expanded. The Court will have the power to examine cases based on petitions filed directly by individuals, without the requirement that an actual dispute being brought by political organs or other courts.

If we consider the doctrine of separation of powers as the foundation for growth and stability, the critical issue that we shall examine is whether the judicial power will trespass the provinces of legislature/ and executive or not? For a government to be able to manage the economy against the global slowdown, I do hope that there will be no over-enforcement of the judicial power. Experiences of several countries show us that, if unchecked, judicial review can be inappropriately used as “delaying tactic”; thus, in turn, become an impediment to economic policy implementation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I believe that the foundation for the country to create growth and prosperity is to build trust in the global community. The constitution shall protect the rule of law and provide at least a minimum level of freedom of speech that facilitates economic cooperation between the people and the global community. Trade and investment cannot flourish if there is no certain degree of confidence provided by the rule of law. Against the transition and change, Thailand must reevaluate its strength and weakness. The country shall find a sensible way to regain its political stability and economic dynamism. I have only proposed the way of how should we think of the phenomena that is the world today.

Throwback 7.

Muslims always speak about "Fighting for the ummah" but ironically we also love to discriminate & hate on one another.

We divide & seperate each other by Religious sects, Superior-Inferior countries, race & more.

To be honest, i was like that before.

I used to look down on Bangladeshis in Malaysia. They're misperceived as "dirty", "stealing our jobs", "Bangsa Perompak & Pencuri"......the list is long.

All of that changed when i entered IIUM.

I was paired up with a Bangladeshi, @mubarratwassey .

At first i was skeptical.

"Why must i be paired up with him & not the other much better seniors?"

However, once we started to know each other. There really was no turning back.

Mubarrat ended up being my Roommate, DebateMate, travel partner & my brother.

We ended up beating our seniors together & won multiple international awards together.

Mubarrat pushed me like never before. We would train until late night in our dorms. We would be critical of each others flaws. We would even compete against one another while being in the same team, to see who can score better.

He must have been very patient as i can be a very demanding guy.

I remember punching him in the middle of a debate round as he was not focusing on the point i was trying to deliver to him. He was pissed but let it slide 😆

We ended up conquering Asia together & broke many records abroad.

Diversity is an asset & not a liability.

When i retired from competitive debating, Mubarrat, @ameeramoore & @saraxpress ended up breaking almost all of my international records.

They even won the elusive AustralAsian Championships which assembled the best teams in the world. This made them the first Asian team in DECADES to clinch the title.

The best of the best in the world beaten by an Afghan, a Bangladeshi & a Malaysian.

I have never been prouder.

I'll be hosting #Thunderbold classes on Public Speaking, Debating, Critical Thinking & more, sharing my years of experience.

5 classes(RM200)where 100% of proceeds will go to buy tablets for poor students.

Join me.

bit.ly/thunderbold

FMVP 辛特力 他就像是 P.League 的LBJ

在總冠軍賽最有價值球員（FMVP）的票選，辛特力（Michael Singletary）出賽4場，平均23.2分12.2籃板9.2助攻1.2抄截，全方位的數據讓辛特力總在關鍵時刻接管戰局，更曾在第3戰繳出22分16籃板12助攻大三元的成績，幫助球隊在PLG史上第一次延長賽擊敗對手拿下重要的一勝，辛特力也因此拿下20張選票全部的5分，以完美的100分獲選PLG首位總冠軍賽最有價值球員。

In the FMVP vote of the championship game, Michael Singletary played 4 games, Avg 23.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, 9.2 assists, and 1.2 steals. Sintell always took over the game at a critical moment and Game 3. 22 point 16 rebounds and 12 assists helped the team win an important victory over the opponent in a playoff for the first time in PLG history. As a result, he scored 5 points from all 20 votes. Mike won with a perfect 100 points. Elect PLG's first most valuable player in the championship.

Congrats Mike

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USA co-captain Allen Iverson (Philadelphia 76ers) had never hit a game winning shot in his illustrious playing career until Wednesday night when, with time about out, he dribbled across mid-court and launched a game-wining 40-foot 3-pointer to lift the USA Senior Team (2-1) to an 80-77 victory over Germany (1-1) in front of a sold-out Kolnarena crowd numbering 18,000.

"It felt good when it left my hand, I knew it had a chance," said Iverson of his game winner. "I tried to side step him (his defender) just to get a little bit of space and I got a good look at the basket and fortunately it went in.

"That was my first buzzer-beater ever," added a smiling Iverson who was mobbed by his USA teammates after making the shot.

The Iverson answer was a fitting end to a game that was tight the entire way and one in which NBA All-Star Dirk Nowitzki almost single-handedly kept his country within striking distance. Nowitzki finished the night with a game best 32 points on 13-for-23 shooting overall, while adding 12 rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots.

In a game in which neither team was able to post more than a a six point advantage, the fourth quarter saw the two teams stay within three points of each other the final 10 minutes.

The U.S. entered the fourth quarter trailing 61-60 and was behind 65-63 with 8:40 to play when Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets) scored five consecutive points to spark the Americans to a 68-65 lead with 8:00 to play.

Germany forward and former UNC player Ademola Okulaja made a three to tie the game at 68, and with 5:40 to go, Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Lakers) scored off a pass from Anthony to put the US up 70-68. Germany scored the game's next four points to move ahead 72-70 with 3:30 showing on the clock, but the USA evened the game after Stephon Marbury (New York Knicks) came up with a critical steal at mid-court, then found Anthony on the break for a layup with 1:57 left.

Iverson, in a preview of what was to come, swished a 3-pointer a blink before the shot clock expired to give the US a 75-72 lead with 1:18 remaining. The suspense continued and with 35 ticks left in the game, Nowitzki was fouled on a 3-point attempt and the Dallas Mavericks star made two of the three free throws to close the gap to a single point, 75-74.

Having committed just two fouls in the final quarter, Germany was forced to foul to get into the bonus and made three quick fouls before finally sending Anthony to the line to shoot two with 12.4 showing on the clock. Despite the roar of the frenzied, partisan crowd, Anthony calmly made both free throws to increase the USA lead to 77-74.

But Nowitzki had one more shot in him and pulling up at the top of the key, he watched his 3-pointer fall cleanly through with 3.8 seconds left to tie the contest 77-77.

Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs) then inbounded the ball to Iverson around the foul line and Iverson dribbled right, took a dribble across halfcourt and launched his first game winner.

The US offensive effort was headed by Duncan who finished with another impressive all-around effort, scoring a US high 19 points and grabbing a team best nine rebounds. Anthony added 16 points, and Iverson finished with 15. All12 U.S. players scored in the contest.

"It was a great basketball game. Germany played very well and any time you have a Dirk Nowitzki on an opposing team you have a very tough opponent," stated U.S. mentor Larry Brown.

"I think our players really got a lot out of these two games (against Italy on Aug. 3 and Germany Aug. 4). We made a lot of improvement from the game last night, but we have a long, long way to go. I think playing the last two nights is hopefully going to help us as this trip goes along."

The United States will return to the court Friday night in a game against 2002 World Champion Serbia and Montenegro in Belgrade. Friday night's game will be televised by ESPN at 7 p.m. (EDT).

The USA senior men opened their training on July 26 at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla., and are pending the 20 days leading up to the start of the 2004 Athens Olympic basketball competition training in Jacksonville; Cologne; Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro; and Istanbul, Turkey, and will play a total of six exhibition games.

Following the game in Belgrade, the USA Senior National Team will conclude its tour in Istanbul, Turkey. Facing Turkey on Sunday, Aug. 8 in an ABC live nationally televised game (2 p.m. EDT), ESPN will show the Aug. 10 (1 p.m. EDT), USA-Turkey game live.

After Kobe Bryant lost his shooting touch and Shaquille O'Neal was lost to fouls, Robert Horry made sure the Los Angeles Lakers did not lose the game.

Horry scored seven clutch points in the final minute as the Lakers again fought off the Philadelphia 76ers, 96-91, to take a 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals.

The Lakers showed the 76ers a little bit of the toughness that has made them NBA champions. With Bryant struggling and O'Neal on the bench, they had every reason to give in to another frenetic rally by the Sixers.

But Horry would not let them. A member of the Houston Rockets title teams of 1994-95, he scored 12 of his playoff-high 15 points in the fourth quarter and saved his best for last.

"People always say that about me -- that in June, you come out and that's the only time you play," Horry said. "I guess that's either a good thing or a bad thing."

"People who watch this team know it's no surprise," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "That's why he plays fourth quarters for us, is his ability to defend and also make key shots. He was big tonight."

With O'Neal off the floor, Philadelphia went to a funky five-guard lineup and reserve Kevin Ollie's follow shot -- his only basket of the game -- became a three-point play that made it 89-88 with 1:02 remaining.

The Sixers applied pressure and the ball went to the left corner to Horry, who at 6-10 was the tallest player on the court. He drilled the shot for a 92-88 advantage with 47 seconds to go.

"That's a rhythm shot for me, something I practice all the time," Horry said. "I said, 'Hey, I get my feet set, I'm shooting this.' They got a small lineup. I know other guys can got to the boards, get the rebound."

Allen Iverson, who had 35 points, 12 rebounds and finally got back to the free-throw line, was fouled behind the arc and made all three shots to again make it a one-point game. The Sixers again pressured the ball but Horry responded with two free throws with 21 seconds left.

"We decided to try to steal and foul and hope that somebody missed a free throw," Sixers coach Larry Brown said. "It didn't happen."

Iverson missed a tough driving layup as he was harassed by Horry and Bryant. A 44 percent free-throw shooter in the postseason, Horry again was fouled and made two more to seal it with 9.5 seconds to play.

"We had a chance to win," said Iverson, who made just 12-of-30 shots but 10-of-13 free throws. "We were right there. ... We kept fighting, got back into the game and we just weren't able to pull it off."

Bryant scored 32 points but made just 3-of-14 shots after halftime. O'Neal added 30 and 12 rebounds but had foul trouble in the second half, exiting with 2:21 to go. But Philadelphia could not overtake Los Angeles and gave back the home court it stole in Game One.

"All we're trying to do is just execute and no matter if the bounces go our way or the call doesn't go our way, we don't try to get down too much," Bryant said. "We try to play through it as much as we possibly can."

"We played through everything," O'Neal said. "We persevered and got a tough Game Three."

Regardless of which team jumps out to an early lead, it does not seem to matter. Each game has come down to the final two minutes and has been decided by a clutch 3-pointer -- the last two by the defending champion Lakers, who have met the challenge this series has become.

"We have players that make critical plays," said Jackson. "We're very pleased with the way we respond to pressure and the way we respond to difficult things. There's no playoffs that doesn't have its critical moments. Most games have them."

"Game One, we made some shots when we needed them down the stretch," Brown said. "Game Two, (Derek) Fisher and (Brian) Shaw made big shots. Tonight, Horry makes them. That's the difference in the series."

Game Four is here Wednesday. The Sixers have now trailed 2-1 in three straight series.

"You don't want to think about going down another game," Iverson said. "You never think that."

Dikembe Mutombo collected 23 points and 12 rebounds and Eric Snow scored 14 points for Philadelphia, which never led in the final 38 minutes.

The Lakers led 73-66 entering the fourth quarter but the whistle seemed to sound in favor of the Sixers thereafter. Iverson took just one free throw in the first three quarters and 12 in the final period. Meanwhile, O'Neal took nine foul shots in the first half and none the rest of the way.

"That changed the game," Brown said. "That allowed us to set our defense and gave us a chance to win."

Horry had a 3-pointer and a slam over Mutombo early in the period. Two free throws by Bryant gave Los Angeles an 82-73 advantage with 7:23 to go.

Iverson made a 3-pointer and O'Neal picked up his fifth foul to start the inevitable late-game push by the Sixers. Iverson's two free throws made it 86-84 with 2:47 left and O'Neal fouled out 26 seconds later trying to plow past Mutombo.

"I didn't think the best defensive player in the game would be flopping like he did," O'Neal said. "That's a shame that the referees buy into that. I wish he'd stand up and play me like a man instead of flopping and crying every time I back him down."

"He fouled out, I thought we had a chance to win the ballgame," Sixers forward Tyrone Hill said.

But Philadelphia could not sustain the momentum. Iverson and Rick Fox traded a free throw apiece and Raja Bell could not handle a pass from Iverson underneath. Bryant made a floater in the lane for an 89-85 lead with 1:17 remaining.

Bryant made 13-of-30 shots and O'Neal hit 11-of-20. The Lakers shot 47 percent (35-of-75) and held the Sixers to 41 percent (33-of-80).

Having jumped from Lower Merion High School here to the NBA five years ago, Bryant was booed the loudest during the pregame introductions. Derisive chants of "Kobe (stinks)!" began in the opening 15 seconds.

The first quarter belonged to O'Neal, who scored 14 points and left his problems at the line in LA, making 6-of-7. Iverson scored 10 and midway through the period thrilled the First Union Center when he beat a diving O'Neal to a loose ball and nimbly skipped over the 330-pound giant with a dribble.

Matt Geiger's jumper beat the buzzer and gave the Sixers a 25-25 tie before Bryant began proving the crowd wrong. With O'Neal taking a rest, he made five straight jumpers to give the Lakers a 40-30 lead, outclassing rookie Raja Bell.

"He got cooking early tonight," Bell admitted. "He started feeling it and once you let somebody with that much talent start feeling it, it's hard to control him."

Both McKie and Snow took turns on Bryant without much success. He spun inside for a layup, then drilled a 20-footer over McKie with 4:02 to go, keeping the lead at double digits.

"My teammates set good picks for me, got me open, I got easy looks at the basket," Bryant said. "It was a matter of knocking them down."

The Lakers led by as many as 13 points before settling for a 55-45 halftime advantage as Bryant and O'Neal combined for 38 points. Los Angeles shot 54 percent (21-of-39).

As he did in the second half of Game One and the first half of Game Two, Iverson did not go to the line. He finally took a technical foul shot in the third quarter, when Bryant cooled considerably and O'Neal had to sit with his fourth foul.

The Sixers clamped down on defense and rode Mutombo's offense to twice get within five points, but Bryant beat the shot clock with a 22-foot jumper late in the period.