Thailand makes the top 10 in the Asia Power Index


Thailand has cracked the top 10 in the Asia Power Index 2023, according to Australia’s prestigious think tank, the Lowy Institute. Although the U.S. is not an Asian nation, it led the rankings because of its impact across Asia.
 
The Lowy Institute developed the index to measure nations’ resources and influence in the Asia-Pacific region. The institute focuses its research on international politics and relations, and economics. Its Asia Power Index considers a range of factors to determine a nation’s strength including economic capability, military capability, resilience, future resources, economic relationships, defence networks, diplomatic influence and cultural influence.
 
Thailand’s strongest score was in economic relationships. Overall, the Kingdom achieved a ranking of number 10 out of 26 countries. According to the Lowy Institute, Thailand’s strongest measure is economic relationships, where it places seventh, the result of its integration into regional supply chains and strong investment relationships with Asia Power Index countries.
 
“Thailand exerts more influence in the region than expected given its available resources, as indicated by the country’s positive power gap score, which improved in 2022,” the Institute stated on its website.
 
“Thailand improved most on the future resources and diplomatic influence measures, rising one place for both,” the Institute added.
 
Due to the Kingdom’s public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, Thailand’s score on cultural influences, usually regarded as one of its strengths, marginally decreased in the latest report.
 
Photo courtesy of https://www.lowyinstitute.org/programs-projects/asia-power-index