Leaked Power Calls, Cannabis Crackdown & Why Thailand’s Startup Scene Is Quietly Rebooting with Wing Vasiksiri – E597

Leaked Power Calls, Cannabis Crackdown & Why Thailand’s Startup Scene Is Quietly Rebooting with Wing Vasiksiri – E597

Author: Jeremy Au July 7, 2025 Duration: 33:29

Wing Vasiksiri, investor and ecosystem builder, returns to unpack the recent political upheaval in Thailand, the shifting startup landscape, and how these dynamics intersect. He and Jeremy Au explore the Prime Minister’s suspension, the ripple effects of leaked diplomacy, and what these events signal for foreign investment and local sentiment. They also discuss the country's cannabis policy reversal, new crypto tax breaks, and the comeback of early-stage incubation. Wing introduces “Project Thailand,” a new public resource and investor-backed report aiming to support Thai founders by mapping out the entire ecosystem. Their discussion offers a real-time pulse check on Thailand's path toward stability, growth, and tech-driven innovation.


00:22 PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra suspended after leaked audio call with Cambodia’s president: The clip revealed her use of informal language and criticism of Thailand’s military, which sparked a political backlash. Her comments raised concerns over national loyalty, leading to her suspension and a cabinet reshuffle that further destabilized the coalition government.

09:45 Seven Thai PMs in ten years erode investor confidence and stall economic reform: The pattern of court removals, protests, and reshuffled coalitions makes it harder for Thailand to project long-term policy stability. Investors hesitate to back sectors like infrastructure and data centers, where long planning cycles are incompatible with unpredictable governance.

15:10 Thailand cuts capital gains and crypto taxes to zero from 2025 to 2030: In contrast to Singapore’s stricter stance, this move signals a bid to attract crypto entrepreneurs and capital inflows. Wing suggests the tax break may position Thailand as a regional hub for blockchain innovation, while Singapore’s ban on token sales drives founders elsewhere.

19:01 Recreational cannabis re-criminalized despite 18,000 dispensaries nationwide: The sudden policy reversal now requires medical prescriptions for purchase and forces dispensaries to register under stricter controls. Wing explains how this ties to shifting political coalitions—particularly the exit of pro-cannabis Bhumjaithai—and hints that further policy flip-flops could follow.

24:07 Wing launches Project Thailand and updates startup report with MVP: The open-access Notion resource maps investors, accelerators, universities, and service providers to help Thai founders navigate the ecosystem. The new report shifts from data-heavy charts to a stakeholder-based framework, offering specific ideas for universities, corporates, and government bodies to strengthen startup formation.


Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/thai-tech-in-the-crossfire

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com


WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e


TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz


Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea


English: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts


Bahasa Indonesia: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts


Chinese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts


Vietnamese: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts



There’s a unique energy building across Southeast Asia, a sense of possibility that’s palpable from Singapore’s skyscrapers to the bustling streets of Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur. BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech captures that momentum by going beyond the headlines and funding announcements. Host Jeremy Au, a venture capitalist and serial founder with a background from Harvard and Berkeley, steers these conversations with a distinct perspective-one that balances the hard metrics of growth with the very human elements of leadership and personal development. Each episode feels like a candid, in-depth dialogue, whether he’s speaking with a first-time founder navigating early traction or a seasoned investor mapping regional trends. You’ll hear genuine stories about building companies, the tough lessons learned from failures, and the often-overlooked journey of staying grounded while scaling rapidly. This isn’t about presenting a polished facade of success; it’s about the real work of creating something meaningful. With over eighty thousand regular listeners, this podcast has become a key resource for anyone invested in the region’s tech ecosystem. Jeremy brings his own experiences as a sci-fi enthusiast and a father into the mix, often exploring how broader perspectives on the future and empathy shape better leaders. Tune in for practical insights on venture capital, entrepreneurship, and management, all framed within the vibrant and complex tapestry of Southeast Asia. New conversations arrive every Monday, offering a thoughtful pause to reflect on how we build what’s next.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech: Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand & Malaysia Startups, Founders & Venture Capital VC (English)
Podcast Episodes
VC Economics & Exit Strategies: Case Studies from Seed to IPO - E689 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:30
Ever wonder how venture capitalists actually judge your startup behind closed doors? In this episode of the BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast, Jeremy Au breaks down the brutal reality of VC economics and the math that dr…
The Hidden Strategies of Venture Capital - E687 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:39
Ever wondered how venture capitalists actually pick winning startups? In this solo breakdown on the BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast, Jeremy Au pulls back the curtain on the secretive world of venture capital. Whether y…
Eugene Cheah: Open-Source AI and the Future of Work - E686 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:24
Is open source the true future of Artificial Intelligence? In this episode of the BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech Podcast, Jeremy Au sits down with Eugene Cheah, CEO and Co-Founder of Featherless AI. They dive deep into the ar…