Ken | Mathis Lohatepanont

Hello! I am a political scientist with research interests in the political institutions and the political economy of development, especially in Thailand. I am currently a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Political Science at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. I am also a Visiting Fellow in the Thailand Studies Program at the ISEAS — Yusof Ishak Institute.

As a scholar of comparative politics, my research revolves around the politics of how strong institutions are built and branded. In particular, my dissertation project focuses on how political parties institutionalize despite unlikely conditions. I also research the political challenges of economic restructuring facing middle-income countries such as Thailand.

I currently write a Substack newsletter on Thai politics and policy called The Coffee Parliament, which counts diplomats, journalists, business executives, and academics among its subscribers. I have also been a regular contributor to both academic and journalistic publications. My insights on Thai politics have been quoted in several media outlets including the Financial Times, Foreign Policy, and the New York Times. In addition, you can find some of my miscellaneous interests and projects, including teaching resources and poetry translations, here.