From FDI to AI: How Southeast Asia Is Navigating the Shifts in Globalization

Dr. Santitarn Sathirathai, Member of the Monetary Policy Committee at the Bank of Thailand, will join us to explore how Southeast Asia is navigating a new wave of globalization—one marked not by retreat, but by transformation. A former Group Chief Economist at Sea Ltd (Southeast Asia’s largest tech company) and Head of Emerging Asia Economics Research at Credit Suisse, Dr. Santitarn brings a rare perspective that spans global finance, digital innovation, and public policy.

While much of today’s conversation focuses on the decline of globalization, Southeast Asia tells a different story. The region is attracting record levels of foreign direct investment, deepening trade ties, rebounding tourism, and experiencing rapid digital adoption. Now, with artificial intelligence on the rise, Southeast Asia once again stands at a global inflection point.

Drawing from his career across finance, tech, and policymaking—as well as his academic roots at Harvard—Dr. Santitarn will reflect on how the region has adapted to previous shifts and how it can seize today’s moment to capture emerging opportunities and manage future risks.

This event is hosted by Harvard’s Center for International Development and will be held in a hybrid format. All are welcome. Harvard ID holders are encouraged to attend in person, while non-HUID guests are invited to join via livestream or access the event recording afterward.