I randomly thought about several products that we use daily - they are mostly made in Thailand.

I guess most of the FDI, previously parked in Malaysia, had been routed to Thailand.

Well, if I am foreign investor, I would do the same too - cheaper labour, no silly issues such as quota ratios..

To sum all up - openness is the key.

The moment you try to control a country with rigid elements such as religion or closed-door policies, you will start to see downfall.

Example? Myanmar. It was once a very rich and prosperous country, but due to its closed-door policies, it had become one of the poorest in SEA.

It starts booming as it opens its door again.