Thai Prime Minister, Featured on US Newsweekly 'Time' Cover: "I Am a Salesman"

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of Thailand has become a model for the American newsweekly Time.

According to Time and Thai media outlet The Nation on the 14th, Prime Minister Srettha will be featured on the cover of the latest issue to be published on the 25th, introduced as a "Salesman." In an interview with Time, he said, "I want to let the world know that Thailand is back in business." Srettha explained the policies he is promoting, stating that "Thailand is facing an economic crisis," and added, "I want to see Thailand shine."

This marks the fourth time a Thai has appeared as a cover model for Time, following former Prime Ministers Thaksin Shinawatra and Prayut Chan-o-cha. Formerly the chairman of a major real estate development company, Srettha transformed into a politician last year and was elected as the prime ministerial candidate of the Pheu Thai Party, which is affiliated with Thaksin's faction. Since then, he has taken on the role of a "salesman," traveling to various countries to attract investment. Time reported that Srettha secured investments worth $8.3 billion (approximately 11 trillion won) from major U.S. big tech companies such as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft last year. Since taking office in September last year, Srettha has visited 16 countries and spent more than 50 days abroad.

Time further explained that Srettha inherited an economy stagnated under a pro-military regime, severe inequality, and a politically divided nation. Time pointed out, "The paradox is that Srettha is struggling to fix Thailand's economy while aligning with forces that seek to block Thailand's reforms." Although the Pheu Thai Party lost its position as the largest party to the Move Forward Party (MFP) in last year's general election, it formed a government by allying with pro-military parties. Bold economic stimulus measures that Srettha aims to implement, such as providing 10,000 baht (about 370,000 won) per citizen and abolishing conscription, are currently stalled.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.