Country Profile

Following the death of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej in October 2016, a major chapter in the history of the kingdom closed and another opened, with His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun now on the throne. Meanwhile, the government of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), led by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, continues to rule following its removal of the civilian government in May 2014. The year ahead is shaping up to be one of transition, with the Thai electorate and international partners eager for the delayed elections to take place. The NCPO has promised stability and economic progress, something many citizens hope for as they await the opportunity to vote. This chapter contains a viewpoint from Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha; and interviews with Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; and Shamshad Akhtar, Former Under-Secretary-General, UN; and Executive Secretary, UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.