Leaked Power Calls, Cannabis Crackdown & Why Thailand’s Startup Scene Is Quietly Rebooting with Wing Vasiksiri – E597

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Recorded06 Jul 2025

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Wing Vasiksiri, investor and ecosystem builder, returns to unpack the recent political upheaval in Thailand, the shifting startup landscape, and how these dynamics intersect. He and Jeremy Au explore the Prime Minister’s suspension, the ripple effects of leaked diplomacy, and what these events signal for foreign investment and local sentiment. They also discuss the country's cannabis policy reversal, new crypto tax breaks, and the comeback of early-stage incubation. Wing introduces “Project Thailand,” a new public resource and investor-backed report aiming to support Thai founders by mapping out the entire ecosystem. Their discussion offers a real-time pulse check on Thailand's path toward stability, growth, and tech-driven innovation. 00:22 PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra suspended after leaked audio call with Cambodia’s president: The clip revealed her use of informal language and criticism of Thailand’s military, which sparked a political backlash. Her comments raised concerns over national loyalty, leading to her suspension and a cabinet reshuffle that further destabilized the coalition government. 09:45 Seven Thai PMs in ten years erode investor confidence and stall economic reform: The pattern of court removals, protests, and reshuffled coalitions makes it harder for Thailand to project long-term policy stability. Investors hesitate to back sectors like infrastructure and data centers, where long planning cycles are incompatible with unpredictable governance. 15:10 Thailand cuts capital gains and crypto taxes to zero from 2025 to 2030: In contrast to Singapore’s stricter stance, this move signals a bid to attract crypto entrepreneurs and capital inflows. Wing suggests the tax break may position Thailand as a regional hub for blockchain innovation, while Singapore’s ban on token sales drives founders elsewhere. 19:01 Recreational cannabis re-criminalized despite 18,000 dispensaries nationwide: The sudden policy reversal now requires medical prescriptions for purchase and forces dispensaries to register under stricter controls. Wing explains how this ties to shifting political coalitions—particularly the exit of pro-cannabis Bhumjaithai—and hints that further policy flip-flops could follow. 24:07 Wing launches Project Thailand and updates startup report with MVP: The open-access Notion resource maps investors, accelerators, universities, and service providers to help Thai founders navigate the ecosystem. The new report shifts from data-heavy charts to a stakeholder-based framework, offering specific ideas for universities, corporates, and government bodies to strengthen startup formation. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/thai-tech-in-the-crossfire Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts

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