Due to Thailand's political instability, U.S. President Donald Trump sent two formal letters announcing a 36% tariff on Thai exports, one addressed to King Maha Vajiralongkorn and the other to Suriya Juangroongruangkit, who had briefly served as Acting Prime Minister.
However, by the time the letters were dated, July 7, 2025, Phumtham Wechayachai had already been formally appointed as Acting Prime Minister, replacing Suriya Juangroongruangkit after his brief one-day tenure ended on July 3. The fact that Trump’s letter was still addressed to Suriya reflects the deep ambiguity surrounding Thailand’s executive leadership during political transitions.
Both letters carried identical messages: a 36% tariff on Thai imports to the U.S. would take effect on August 1 unless Thailand reduced trade barriers or agreed to relocate production to American.
Was it a calculated diplomatic gesture or just confusion?
Thailand’s frequent leadership changes, backroom power plays, and enduring military influence have long blurred the lines between symbolic authority and real power. Trump’s dual-letter diplomacy unintentionally exposed this fault line, sending a message not just about tariffs, but about the fragility of political coherence in Thailand’s governance.
This moment echoed a pointed warning from Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Manet, who once stated:
“We are not playing games. When we decide to negotiate, we do so seriously. In Cambodia, there is no confusion or conflicting orders from various parties. We are waiting for a leader with real authority, a legitimate mandate, to open or close the border gates.”
His remarks, aimed directly at Thailand’s shifting leadership, underscore how even neighboring states are demanding clarity on who holds decision-making power in Bangkok, before sitting down at the table.
As Thailand now braces for the economic impact of Trump’s tariff policy, the question lingers:
If even world leaders aren’t sure who’s calling the shots in Thailand, how can investors, partners, or the public be?
Author: PanhaCHEZDA