Thailand faces protracted instability over protests

Significance

Prayut earlier this month reshuffled his cabinet. New appointments to the finance and energy ministries will have a key role in spurring post-pandemic economic recovery.

Impacts

• Heightened tensions over the protests may dampen investor sentiment and delay economic recovery.
• Protest leaders will look to broaden their support base.
• Any violent state-led crackdown on demonstrations would spark domestic and international criticism.