2. Indicate some factors that explains the variance of each year's TOP.

Thailand has had 19 military coups since becoming a constitutional monarchy

in 1932. The period since 2006 has been particularly turbulent and ultimately
resulted in a 2014 coup led by former army commander and current Prime
Minister Prayut Chan-ocha. National legislative elections held in March 2019
solidified the power of the junta-aligned Phalang Pracharat party and will
likely result in ongoing military influence and policy continuity. After the
death of long-ruling and much-loved King Bhumibol Adulyadej, his son, King
Maha Vijiralongkorn, was crowned in May 2019. Thailand’s free-enterprise
economy benefits from relatively well-developed infrastructure. Exports of
electronics, agricultural commodities, automobiles and parts, processed foods,
and other goods account for about two-thirds of GDP.
Thailand’s economic freedom score is 69.4, making its economy the 43rd
freest in the 2020 Index. Its overall score has increased by 1.1 points due to
higher scores for government integrity and property rights. Thailand is
ranked 11th among 42 countries in the Asia–Pacific region, and its overall
score is well above the regional and world averages.
The Thai economy has been moderately free for two decades. GDP growth has
been solid, although it could decelerate in 2020 because of slower domestic
and foreign demand.
Thailand has made remarkable progress in expanding economic freedom,
moving from a low-income to an upper-income country in less than a
generation. The new military-backed government continues to prioritize
economic revival and an improved investment climate. Until it confronts its
own sorry record of deep corruption, however, which is reflected in weak
performance on the judicial effectiveness and government integrity Index
indicators, further progress toward greater economic freedom will be
impeded.

Kazakhsta A vast semiarid steppe, Kazakhstan was once the largest Soviet
republic. President Nursultan Nazarbayev, whose rule lasted nearly 30 years,
resigned in March 2019 to secure his legacy, name his successor, and influence
the political transition. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev won the snap presidential
election in June 2019. Over the past several years, Kazakhstan has been
transitioning from the Cyrillic alphabet to the Latin alphabet. Oil production
is booming, primarily because of a nearly $37 billion expansion of the Tengiz
oil field. Kazakhstan’s vast hydrocarbon and mineral reserves, especially in
the Caspian Basin, form the backbone of its economy. The country is the
world’s largest producer of uranium and has a large agricultural sector
featuring livestock and grain.
Kazakhstan’s economic freedom score is 69.6, making its economy the 39th
freest in the 2020 Index. Its overall score has increased by 4.2 points due to a
large increase in the fiscal health score. Kazakhstan is ranked 10th among 42
countries in the Asia–Pacific region, and its overall score is well above the
regional and world averages.
Kazakhstan’s economy has been in the upper reaches of the moderately free
category for the past four years. GDP growth has also tracked higher during
that time.
The new government wants to boost productivity, diversify the economy away
from hydrocarbons, reduce the role of the state, and increase the efficiency of
the bureaucracy. Those goals would be advanced if long-standing
shortcomings identified over the years by the Index, including in government
integrity, investment freedom, and financial freedom, were addressed. The
country’s poor business environment, weak competition in some sectors, and
long distances to global markets remain significant constraints.
3. Search for the top Countries that Thailand/ Kazakhstan engaged and find if
there are similarities.
Thailand participates fully in international and regional organizations. It has
developed close ties with other ASEAN members Indonesia, Malaysia, the
Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam
whose foreign and economic ministers hold annual meetings. Regional
cooperation is progressing in economic, trade, banking, political, and cultural
matters. 
 Bangladesh – Relations are considered close and cordial and have made
strides to improve trade and investment between the two countries.
 Brunei - Brunei has an embassy in Bangkok, and Thailand has an
embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan. The relations have always been close
and cordial.
 Cambodia – Parts of Cambodia’s border with Thailand are indefinite,
and the maritime boundary with Thailand is not clearly defined. The
mutual withdrawal of ambassadors is the most severe diplomatic action
to have occurred between the two countries.
 China – Thailand established diplomatic relations with the PRC on 1
July 1975. It remains as a key regional ally of China, with growing
cooperation between both countries.
 India – Diplomatic relations between India and Thailand were
established in 1947, soon after India gained independence. Thailand
maintains three diplomatic posts in India: in Mumbai, in New Delhi,
and in Calcutta. India maintains three enclaves in Thailand:
in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and A Muang. The end of the Cold War led to
a significant enhancement in the substance and pace of bilateral
interactions. 
 Indonesia – Indonesia and Thailand are viewed as natural allies. The
nations established diplomatic ties in 1950 and have enjoyed a cordial
relationship since. Both countries have established embassies. Indonesia
has its embassy in Bangkok and a consulate in Songkhla, while Thailand
has its embassy in Jakarta. State visits have been conducted for years.
Both nations are the founders of ASEAN and the members of Non-
Aligned Movement and APEC. Indonesia is also appointed as observer
in Cambodian–Thai border dispute. \
 Israel – Israel and Thailand have had official relations since June 1954.
The Israeli embassy in Bangkok was established in 1958. Since 1996,
Thailand has had an embassy in Tel Aviv. After the floods in
2011, Israel sent water management experts to Thailand. Princess
Chulabhorn Mahidol is involved in advancing scientific cooperation
between the two countries. The Thai ambassador to Israel is Jukr Boon-
Long.
 Japan – Japan has become a key trading partner and foreign investor
for Thailand. Japan is Thailand’s largest supplier, followed by the
United States. Thailand has joined the ranks of the world’s top ten
automobile exporting nations. In 2007, a Japan–Thailand Economic
 Partnership Agreement was signed, aiming at free trade between the
two countries after a transition period of 10 years
 Laos – in some respects, Thailand can be seen as a greater threat to
Laos’s independence than Vietnam because of its closer cultural
affinity, it’s easier access, and its control over the railroad and highway
routes to the sea. The Mekong River, which both sides have an interest
in making a “river of true peace and friendship” as their respective
prime ministers called for in 1976 – also provides a north–south artery
during the rainy season.
 Malaysia – Thailand has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and consulate-
general offices in George Town and Kota Bharu. Malaysia maintains an
embassy in Bangkok. Recently, Thai-Malay relations have soured
considerably due to the ethnically Malay Pattani separatists in three
southern provinces of Thailand. There have been claims by some Thai
politicians that certain parties in Malaysia has taken an interest in the
cause of their opponents in the war, which is vehemently disputed by
the latter
 Philippines – Thai-Philippines relations continue to be friendly.
Relations with Thailand were established 14 June 1949. Thailand is one
of the Philippines major trading partners and one of the Philippines’
rice suppliers. Relations continues to be strengthened through talks and
agreements on economic, security, and cultural matters including
concerns on rice trading, and combatting drugs and human trafficking.
 Saudi Arabia – Relations Saudi Arabia and Thailand were established
in 1957 and hundreds of thousands of Thais went to Saudi Arabia to
work. However, relations have been severely strained for the past 20
years due to fallout from the Blue Diamond Affair. Diplomatic missions
were downgraded to chargé d’affaires level and the number of Thai
workers in Saudi Arabia plummeted. Saudi Arabia does not issue
working visas for Thais and discourages its citizens from visiting the
country.
 South Korea – Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1
October 1958. The year 2008 is the 50 th year of bilateral relations with
two nations. During the Korean War, Thailand was the second nation
sending troops for supporting South Korea just after the United States.
 Vietnam – Diplomatic relations between the two countries have existed
since 1976, and are very friendly both economically and politically
 nowadays. Yet, relations between the two countries had always been
marred by discord, which resulted from bitter rivalry to gain control of
the area of what is today Laos and Cambodia.

Kazakhstan

 Cambodia and Thailand were part of the Khmer Empire before the

kingdom declined. Their people have relatively similar demographics
and culture. In addition, both countries are constitutional monarchies
and have similar laws. However, Cambodia is poorer and less
developed than Thailand.
 Vietnam is another Asian country bordering the South China Sea that
is similar to Thailand. The countries have a similar standard of living.
In addition, both have a tropical climate and beautiful beaches.
However, Vietnam’s culture and government is more similar to China
than Thailand.
 Laos shares a lot of cultural similarity with Thailand, since their
languages are mutually intelligible, their alphabets are very similar,
and they practice Theravada Buddhism. However, Laos is poorer and
its infrastructure is less developed. In addition, it is landlocked and
more mountainous than Thailand.
 Malaysia is by far the most similar country to Thailand in regards to
technology. Both countries mostly use gas to create electricity. In
addition, their power grids are connected. Their transportation is also
similar, since both countries drive on the left and use meter-gauge
railroad tracks. However, Malaysia is a Muslim country, unlike
Thailand.
 Myanmar borders Thailand to the west. In the 1500’s, both countries
were part of the Toungoo Empire. Later, it became part of British
India, before becoming independent after World War II. Therefore,
Myanmar is more influenced by India than the rest of Southeast Asia.
 Sri Lanka
 Indonesia
 Philippines
 China
 Taiwan

4. Search for Top 5 commodities that each country imports/Exports.

 THAILAND KAZAKHSTAN
EXPORT IMPORT EXPORT IMPORT
 Rubber  Crude  Petroleum  crude
 Refined Petroleum oils and oils petroleum
Petroleu  Gold obtained from  cars
m  Petroleum bituminous  refined
 Rice Gas petroleum
 Raw  Coal  Copper  large iron
Sugar Briquettes cathodes and pipes
 Gold  Soybeans sections of  packaged
cathodes medicaments
unwrou
 Ferro-
chromium
containing by
weight more
than 4

 Natural gas in
gaseous state

 Natural
uranium and
its
compounds,
etc.,

5. Compare and Contrast the two countries in terms of: Geographical Area,
Population, Natural Resources, and Economical Power.
 THAILAND
• Capital: Bangkok
• Population: 67,793,000
• Surface Area: 513,120 km2
• Currency: Thai Baths (1 EUR=36.4390
THB)
• Religion: Mostly Buddhism
• Belongs to: ACD, ASEAN, BIMSTEC,
IMF, MGC, UN
Resources: Oil, coal and black gold, Forestry,
Agriculture, Livestock, Fishing, coal, oil,
copper, iron, lead, zinc, chromite’s, gold,
manganese.
KAZAKHSTAN
• Capital: Nursultan
• Population: 18,396,000
• Surface Area: 2,724,902 km2
• Currency: Tenges (1
EUR=436.6129 KZT)
• Religion: Mostly Islam
• Belongs to: ACD, CIS,
EAEU, ECO, IMF, UN, OSCE, SCO
Resources: Beautiful Scenery, Forests,
watersheds, marine environments, Oil
and Gas