Surviving a Fragmented World: Sihasak Phuangketkeow on the Strategy for Thailand at Davos 2026

Amidst the World Economic Forum in Switzerland today, the global landscape is being shaken by geopolitical conflicts and fast-evolving technologies. The critical question is: Where does Thailand stand in this fragmented world?

Techsauce recently spoke with Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow about the strategy for Thailand at Davos 2026. He revealed that #TeamThailand isn't just there to report for duty. Instead, they are declaring that Thailand is ready to be a trusted global partner while the economic map is rapidly being redrawn.

In a Polarized World, Thailand Isn't Here Just to Talk About Itself

The first question addresses the most critical topic: "What is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' key mission at Davos this time, and why bring such a large 'Team Thailand'?"

Khun Sihasak answered directly that this visit is not about any single individual. It represents a synergy between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Commerce, alongside the private sector, to show the world that Thailand is back on the global stage.

Khun Sihasak views the current world as facing "Fragmentation," a fragile polarization—particularly regarding the role of the U.S. and its America First policy, which destabilizes the familiar world order.

"Our mission this time is to demonstrate how Thailand is driving its development. Importantly, we are not just looking at ourselves; we view ourselves as part of the global community. We are here to exchange views on the challenges the world is facing and to jointly find ways to handle them."

Cyber Warfare and Scammer Crimes

One of the key highlights is Thailand being honored to lead the discussion on Forced Labor (work or service exacted from any person under the menace of any penalty and for which the said person has not offered himself voluntarily). In this era, this issue is no longer confined to factories or fishing boats but has evolved into Cyber Scams.

Khun Sihasak addressed the issue of Cyber Scams as a new form of forced labor. Currently, hundreds of thousands of people in our region are lured into transnational criminal circuits. These individuals are forced to scam others, causing global losses soaring to $1 trillion USD. This challenges state authority, and Thailand is committed to building international alliances to seriously combat these syndicates.

OECD: The "New Software" to Upgrade National Standards

Khun Oranuch moved to the topic of Thailand’s OECD membership: "What is the current status of joining the OECD, and what is the expected timeline?"

Khun Sihasak decoded the significance of the OECD interestingly: It is not merely an attempt to sit in a club of wealthy nations, as many believe. Instead, it is one of the greatest structural reform strategies we have ever undertaken.

The reason this has become a national agenda that must be pushed hard is that OECD standards will serve as a crucial tool to "reset" chronic problems—whether reforming the tax system, updating regulations to be international and transparent, or fostering competitiveness in the digital economy era.

It involves breaking down bureaucratic walls, such as reducing outdated government procedures, and elevating transparency to create a "clean" business environment—one of the primary factors global investors use to make decisions.

The OECD Secretary-General has recognized Thailand's determination and set a target for full membership by 2031-2032. This will be a turning point that instills unprecedented confidence in foreign investors regarding Thailand.

Unfolding a New Map: When Traditional Markets Are No Longer the Only Safe Haven

While superpowers are competing to divide sides, #TeamThailand has chosen to expand the map to find new opportunities others might overlook. Davos this year is not just about maintaining old strongholds, but daring to step out of the comfort zone into new, unfamiliar waters to diversify risk and create more sustainable opportunities, such as:

• Nigeria – The Key to Africa: We may be so used to traditional markets that we forget Africa is growing exponentially. Khun Sihasak defines Nigeria as the "Big Brother" of the region, leading in both population and economic size. Pushing the Thai-Africa Initiative is not just about exporting goods, but building strategic partners to serve as a Gateway for Thai businesses to access a massive consumer base in the future.
• Bangladesh – The Giant of South Asia: Another exciting milestone is seeking a route to link Bangladesh's ports with Thailand's ports. This is a "strategic shortcut" that will completely transform maritime transport and logistics, allowing Thailand to access the immense purchasing power of India and South Asia much faster and at a fraction of the cost.
• South Korea: For South Korea, the challenge is to make what exists flourish. The reality is that the current value of Korean investment in Thailand is far below its potential. Accelerating the FTA (Free Trade Agreement) is like unlocking the final key to attracting capital and high technology into the country as targeted.

Ultimately, the key lesson from #TeamThailand at Davos 2026 is not just announcing what makes us good. It is proving to the world that, in a time when the world is fragile and divided, Thailand chooses to be a reliable partner and a bridge connecting new opportunities.

The synergy between the government and the private sector under the name #TeamThailand is a signal that we didn't just come to attend the event—we came to return to the global mainstream once again in 2026.