Thailand

With the second-largest economy in ASEAN, Thailand is one of the most dynamic countries in Southeast Asia. But over the past decade, despite reaching upper middle-income status, Thailand has faced slowing economic growth, declining foreign investment, and political instability. Thailand has been effective in addressing Covid-19, but the economic impact has been significant as Thailand is predicted to have the largest economic contraction in Southeast Asia. Now is a critical time for reforms in education, economic competitiveness, inequality, and the environment, and the Foundation is supporting efforts by the Royal Thai Government to move forward on several major reform initiatives, government programs, and new investments.  Thailand also plays a crucial role in regional cooperation and geopolitics, particularly within ASEAN and the lower Mekong subregion. The Foundation supports several Thai-led efforts in the region on sustainable development, Mekong cooperation, and is helping to strengthen U.S.-Thai relations.