Center for Politics and Geopolitics
The Center for Politics and Geopolitics is Thailand Future Institute's research hub dedicated to rigorous analysis of political developments and geopolitical trends shaping Thailand and Southeast Asia. Our mission is to advance understanding of how domestic politics influences policymaking, institutional frameworks, and business environments—and how these dynamics determine Thailand's and the region's capacity to navigate geopolitical upheavals, technological disruption, and economic uncertainty.
Our Approach: Research → Insight → Impact
Research
At the core of the Center is our commitment to rigorous, independent research. Our team of experts in political science, economics, and data science combines advanced analytical methodologies with on-the-ground insights to understand key political developments, identify emerging political risks and policy trends across sectors, and evaluate their implications for governance, economic trajectories, and development outcomes in Thailand and throughout Southeast Asia.
Insight
We translate research findings into strategic recommendations through our advisory services. Whether advising government agencies, business leaders, or international organizations, we provide tailored, evidence-based guidance to help clients navigate the complexities of Thailand's and Southeast Asia's political and policy environments. Grounded in deep understanding of local contexts, our advisory work equips clients with the tools and insights necessary to manage political risks and make informed, strategic decisions.
Impact
Through workshops, briefings, and public conferences, we convene policymakers, academics, practitioners, and stakeholders to foster constructive dialogue on critical issues facing Thailand and the region. We advocate for policies grounded in rigorous analysis and promote informed public understanding of political dynamics shaping development outcomes. Through speaking engagements and expert commentary, we actively contribute to shaping discourse and advancing policy conversations that matter for Thailand's and Southeast Asia's future.
Our Team
We are an open research platform bringing together scholars and analysts from leading universities and think tanks across Thailand and the region. Our core research fellows work alongside distinguished specialists who contribute their expertise to specific projects.
Areas of Focus
We focus on three interconnected domains where political dynamics drive outcomes and determine how countries respond to regional and global shifts. Our work examines how power is contested and exercised domestically, how geopolitical competition reshapes regional alignments, and how political factors influence economic policy and development trajectories.
Domestic Politics and Governance
We examine elite power-sharing arrangements, political party systems, and electoral dynamics in Thailand and across Southeast Asia. Our research analyzes party-voter linkages, political identities, and institutional reform processes, while tracking civil-military relations, democratization trajectories, and the role of social movements in shaping governance in Thailand and throughout the region.
Geopolitics and International Relations
We study Thailand's foreign policy positioning and ASEAN cohesion amid intensifying great power competition in Southeast Asia. Our work addresses maritime disputes in the South China Sea and beyond, evolving security architectures, and the dynamics of bilateral partnerships within and outside the region as Thailand and neighboring countries navigate shifting geopolitical pressures.
Political Economy and Development
We analyze how political dynamics and geoeconomic rivalries shape regional economic integration, cross-border investment flows, and development policy choices in Thailand and across Southeast Asia. Our research examines how countries navigate competing economic partnerships, AI and digital disruption, and infrastructure connectivity initiatives, while addressing challenges of economic inequality and inclusive growth.
