logo
episode-header-image
May 2023
25m 28s

New school Thais: a military establishme...

The Economist
About this episode

Largely thanks to young, liberal citizens, a reformist third party won the most seats in Thailand’s general election. But a powerful army and influential incumbents could look to prevent its leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, taking charge. Bureaucracy is getting in the way of America’s international aid programme. And, with the help of DNA sequencing, a new ocean survey is on the hunt for 100,000 new species.  


For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, try a free 30-day digital subscription by going to www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Today
Party likes it 1959: Cuba in crisis
<p>The country’s Communist Party leadership continues to cling to old ideals amid on-again, off-again diplomacy with America—and the people’s suffering <a href="https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/11/18/cuba-is-heading-for-disaster-unless-its-regime-changes-drastically?ut ... Show More
23m 15s
Today
Trailer: Drum Tower
Gain a deeper understanding of China with Jeremy Page and Sarah Wu. <em>The Economist</em>’s China correspondents report from across the country and the places it influences beyond its borders. Jiehao Chen joins the discussion from London. This award-winning podcast takes on ever ... Show More
2 m
Yesterday
Wage against the machine: the distortions of minimum pay
<p>For decades governments have found minimum-wage rises a politically expedient means of redistribution. But the onward <a href="https://www.economist.com/leaders/2025/11/20/why-governments-should-stop-raising-the-minimum-wage?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_so ... Show More
22m 16s
Recommended Episodes
May 2023
New school Thais: a military establishment voted out
<p>Largely thanks to young, liberal citizens, a <a href="https://www.economist.com/asia/2023/05/15/thailands-pro-democracy-parties-trounce-the-military-establishment?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.t ... Show More
25m 28s
Apr 2023
Revolution Song: Myanmar’s unending war
<p>Deep in the mountains along the Thai border, a <a href="https://www.economist.com/international/2023/04/17/the-worlds-deadliest-war-last-year-wasnt-in-ukraine?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_sh ... Show More
29m 39s
Jan 2024
The 2024 Elections That Will Shape the Global Economy
Elections this year will determine the leadership of 40% of the world’s population, spanning the United States, to Taiwan, to Mexico, to Senegal. On today’s Big Take podcast: What democracy’s big test means for the economy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
9m 47s
Nov 2023
Elections & Extremism: Ground report on the push for polling in the Naxal-infested Bastar
<p>The Tribals protesting road development, miles through the jungle to reach a polling station and Election Workers being air-dropped and picked for security! Get the ground report tales for what it takes to do polls in Naxal-infested Bastar with host <a href="https://m.economic ... Show More
16m 38s
Oct 2023
So the Tory goes: Britain’s Conservatives meet
<p>Divisions within the ruling party are on full display this week, and the <a href="https://www.economist.com/leaders/2023/10/04/rishi-sunak-is-wrong-to-amputate-britains-high-speed-rail-line?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=di ... Show More
24m 57s
Dec 2023
The Intelligence: Alice Weidel’s alternative plan for Germany
<p>Our Berlin bureau chief sits down with the increasingly popular co-leader of the <a href="https://www.economist.com/europe/2023/12/19/the-head-of-the-hard-right-alternative-for-germany-is-riding-high?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_ ... Show More
24m 9s
Mar 2024
The Intelligence: Russia’s sham election
<p>Voting begins today in an <a href="https://www.economist.com/europe/2024/03/12/russians-go-to-the-polls-in-a-sham-election-for-their-president?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_ar ... Show More
23m 20s
Jan 2024
The Intelligence: Indonesia’s election, more TikTok than tick-box
<p>Campaigning for a coming election in the world’s fourth-most-populous country has been almost entirely policy-free: a good social-media presence is nearly all candidates need. As the <a href="https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2024/01/09/the-dwindling-of-the-panama-canal-b ... Show More
20m 59s
Jan 2024
The Intelligence: 2024 is a big year for democracy
<p>Citizens across more than 70 countries will be heading to the polls over the next twelve months. It’s a <a href="https://www.economist.com/interactive/the-world-ahead/2023/11/13/2024-is-the-biggest-election-year-in-history" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">record year ... Show More
23m 38s
Apr 2024
Age No Bar: Insurance Reforms Reach India’s Elderly
<p>The insurance’s removal of age caps for buying insurance policy can be the start of much needed reforms in this sector. But questions on expense and accessibility remain. In this podcast, we break down the intricacies of these regulatory amendments, especially for senior citiz ... Show More
23m 31s