Across Southeast Asia, the resurgence of political dynasties is casting a long shadow over democratic governance. In both Thailand and Cambodia, power is no longer passed through meritocratic processes or competitive institutions, but rather inherited within dominant families. The Shinawatra family in Thailand and the Hun family in Cambodia have each entrenched themselves at the helm of national politics, sidelining experience, maturity, and leadership in favor of lineage and loyalty. This concentration of power raises serious ethical and institutional concerns—not only for the internal stability of each country, but also for the fragile relationship between the two.

read more…