Thailand must invest in educational development, reskilling and upskilling its people to adapt to demographic, technological, environmental, and geopolitical disruptions. “Geopolitical disruption, akin to a traditional war, has expanded its reach, affecting both neighboring and distant nations,” said Professor Surakiart Sathirathai, Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, adding that the disruptions in Thailand and globally are all linked. For instance, with wars erupting in Ukraine and tensions rising between Iran and Israel, international investors may hesitate to invest. Dr. Surakiart spoke at a panel discussion organized by Mission We, in collaboration with Sasin School of Management, titled “The Next Chapter: Exploring the New Narrative of the World” on April 24. The panel also featured Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, Program President at Mission We, and Dr. Santitarn Sathirathai, Future Economy Advisor at the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) and a member of the Monetary Policy Committee. Dr. Surakiart emphasized prioritizing education as part of its economic policy to deal with geopolitical and other disruptions. “There must be a host that would lead others to implement educational policies in Thailand. If we don’t do anything about it, there will be no leader to create changes to handle the disruptions,” said Dr. Surakiart. He suggested one method through which Thailand can enhance the skills of its workforce is for the leaders to establish a training program, allowing talents to learn from top universities specializing in various fields within Thailand.” Khunying Sudarat echoed this sentiment, adding that when people lack skills and knowledge, it leads to a shortage of skilled labor. Without quality education and the necessary skills for the modern world, individuals face significant challenges. In addition, Dr. Santitarn advocated for upskilling initiatives, emphasizing English proficiency as essential for future technical training. Dr. Santitarn highlighted three disruptions that he believes will impact Thailand: Climate (Transition, Adaptation, Health & Wellness), Geopolitics (trade & tourism disruptions, commodity prices, the rise of ASEAN, and Competition (price war, talent war). He believes that ASEAN will play a pivotal role in combating the disruptions. Each country has unique strengths: For example, Singapore is a financial hub, Vietnam’s strong relations with America, Malaysia’s ascent as an economic powerhouse, and Indonesia’s emergence as one of the largest markets. He added that with many countries and foreigners interested in moving to Thailand, making the Visa process more convenient for foreigners will attract more talents to Thailand who can fill the gap of unskilled labor in Thailand. As a Thai who has lived in Singapore for 13 years, Dr. Santitarn can attest that many Singaporeans now want to live in Thailand. Thailand also faces demographic disruptions, as the World Health Organization (WHO) indicated that the number and proportion of people aged 60 years and older in Thailand and globally are increasing. Thailand faces demographic disruptions wherein the Aging Society will transition into a Super-Aged Society within the next decade. Khunying Sudarat said that at least 40 percent of the aging population in Thailand is in poverty, pain, and bedridden. “Creating social welfare and pension programs for the elderly is essential,” she emphasized, “as it enables them to enhance their health. She added that while rich people are reluctant to have children, poor people may have problems with birth control. Khunying Sudarat lamented that children born into impoverished families often suffer from malnutrition, hindering their mental development. Moreover, their parents often migrate to urban areas for work, resulting in family separation. Dr. Surakiart addressed that Thailand has one of the lowest per capita incomes in Asia, which contributes to families living in poverty. In contrast, other countries like Singapore and China have implemented numerous welfare and basic income programs to support older adults. The insights in the panel discussion bring a holistic approach to educational development as a cornerstone for Thailand’s adaptability and resilience amidst evolving global dynamics. By investing in its human capital through education and skills enhancement, Thailand can position itself to mitigate the impact of disruptions and harness opportunities for sustainable growth and prosperity in the emerging global landscape.