Summary
- Thaksin convened with cryptocurrency investors in Bangkok to explore making Thailand ASEAN’s central treasury for digital assets.
- The initiative is backed by Metaplanet, UTXO, and various global companies, as indicated by documents from the meeting analyzed by Decrypt.
- Proponents believe the plan could enhance economic resilience and growth considering Thailand’s current economic challenges.
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra engaged with digital asset investors in Bangkok on Tuesday to propose establishing Thailand as a key player in digital assets.
Shinawatra also supports creating a national strategic reserve to bolster the long-term “resilience of Thailand’s financial system and economy,” according to a source acquainted with the situation.
Shinawatra’s meeting featured representatives from Japan’s Metaplanet, under the leadership of Simon Gerovich, and UTXO Management, steered by David Bailey, a crypto advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump, as per supporting documents viewed by Decrypt.
Other participating firms included Nakamoto Holdings, which recently merged with KindlyMD; digital asset fund Sora Ventures; AsiaStrategy; telecom distributor Moon Inc.; crypto holding firm Mythos Group; and Kliff Capital, based in Bangkok.
The gathering “signifies a key step in fulfilling our vision to unlock Thailand’s potential as the Bitcoin DAT hub of ASEAN,” remarked Kip Tiaviwat, founder and partner at Kliff Capital, to Decrypt.
Thailand remains Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, yet it grapples with sluggish growth, significant household debt, and a declining tourism industry, as reported in July 2025 data from the World Bank suggests. Cryptocurrency could provide an additional path for economic expansion.
The nation’s aspirations can be realized through “collaboration between global industry pioneers and a national leader who shares and propels this vision,” Tiaviwat noted, emphasizing the public’s familiarity with Bitcoin and crypto as a significant advantage.
Shinawatra amassed his wealth through Shin Corporation, now known as Intouch Holdings, which focuses on telecommunications.
In December of last year, he was named an informal advisor to ASEAN by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The former Prime Minister has faced numerous corruption allegations over the years, including scrutiny regarding the 2006 sale of Shin Corporation to Temasek of Singapore, which drew criticisms over tax issues and foreign ownership regulations.
Shinawatra is currently engaged in ongoing legal proceedings regarding past corruption and political controversies, which are expected to continue affecting Thailand’s political environment in the near future, as mentioned in a Reuters report from last week.
Efforts have been made to reach out to the former Prime Minister.
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