France unrest shows Thailand the cost of weak fiscal discipline

France's unrest over underfunded public services has prompted Thai economists to warn that persistent budget deficits and weak fiscal discipline can constrain public services and limit government options during crises. France recorded a fiscal deficit of 5.1 percent of GDP in 2025, with public debt at 115.6 percent of GDP and slow growth projected at 0.7 percent in 2026. Over 500,000 people joined demonstrations, with about 2,400 arrests made by October 19. Thai experts including Athiphat Muthitacharoen, Prasarn Trairatvorakul, and Supavud Saicheua said France's high taxes, political resistance to reform, and rising borrowing costs limit its ability to respond, urging Thailand to maintain fiscal flexibility and balanced budget allocation.