Global Security Studies Practicum

9 November 2011 The recent heavy flooding that has ravished the Southeast Asian country of Thailand has not only rattled infrastructure, but is now causing political unease within the country. Former Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva , has recently made criticizing statements towards the current political party, whom his party lost the Prime Minister seat to. The former Prime Minister has criticized Thailand’s current Prime Minister in office, Yingluck Shinawatra , of failing to properly respond to the recent heavy flooding. The current party is facing criticism from it’s political opponents for using funds towards populist programs such as, providing tablet computers for schoolchildren and offering tax breaks to individuals who are purchasing a vehicle or home for the first time, rather than using these funds towards the country’s current flood crisis. The former Prime Minister spoke at the Thai Parliament last week, where discontent for the current flood relief situat...

2 November 2011 BANGKOK, THAILAND – The recent heavy flooding in the Thai Kingdom has taken lives, displaced thousands, and is now posing an economic threat to an already weather-battered country. Thailand was once a leader among the fastest growing world economies , but has seen significant slow down in more recent years when compared to its neighboring countries, such as Vietnam and Indonesia. Much of Thailand’s recent economic underperformance has been attributed to the recent floods as well as a series of natural disasters that have hit the country over the last several years. One of the Government’s priorities is to maintain investors and keep investor confidence high. Earlier in the week, Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra voiced future plans to have an $800 billion baht ($25.97 billion) aid program to help farmers and business operators affected by flooding. Thai Government spokesman Thitima Chaisaeng, stated that major portions of aid funding will be u...

12 October 2011 BANGKOK, THAILAND – Residents have been clearing the shelves of markets in preparations to brace for intense flooding in the coming days. Yingluck Shinawatra , the Prime Minister of Thailand has issued a warning to businesses across the country stating that business owners should reframe from price gouging and taking advantage of typical supply and demand situations in times of natural disaster preparations. T he Prime Minister feels that if businesses raise their prices that it will cause suffering locals, who were hit hard by the heavy monsoon rains, to turn to crime and the hoarding of businesses to get the provisions they need. Another issue that Thai officials are worried about is the fact that Bangkok is a mere two meters above sea level, which leaves the country’s capitol highly vulnerable to reservoir overflows due to the intense swelling of the Chao Phraya River . According to Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation , since late J...