In Thailand, Ugly Politics Is Testing Investors’ Resolve

Considering how confusing and scary the Thai political scene is, it’s easy to see why so many foreign investors have been turning their backs on the place.

Here’s the situation. On Sunday, July 3, Thailand’s voters will choose a ruling party. Nothing unusual about that—except that the election comes just 14 months after thousands of anti-government protesters occupied central Bangkok, prompting clashes with the military that ended with 91 people dead. The violence was broadcast worldwide, and resentments among Thai voters—against the army or against the protesters—are still simmering. The military, which has engineered 10 coups since 1932, has publicly told Thais to vote for the right candidates, yet the party that’s ahead so far in the polls is not the army’s choice.