Hi!
My name is Mathis Lohatepanont, and I go by Ken. Originally from Bangkok, Thailand, I am currently a Ph.D. student at the Department of Political Science at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. I graduated in 2020 with a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley. I specialize in comparative politics and my current research interests focus on political parties and party systems in emerging democracies, along with the role of political institutions in fostering economic upgrading and innovation. My regional focus is Southeast and East Asia.
Previously, I was a researcher at the Thailand Development Research Institute in Bangkok. As part of the Innovation Policy team, I assisted in producing policy recommendations regarding the restructuring of Thailand’s economy in order to ensure its long-term competitiveness. This research led to an interest in the challenges facing how states can support domestic innovation, research, and creativity: factors which are vitally important for assisting Thailand in escaping the middle income trap.
My analysis has been published in the Washington Post, Bangkok Post, and Thai Enquirer, among other outlets. In addition, I am passionate about making politics engaging and accessible to a general audience; my explainers on Thai politics and history can be found in these projects. I write about international affairs in Thai on Blockdit.
If you’d like to contact me, please don’t hesitate to email me at ken.lohatepanont@gmail.com or tweet to me @kenlwrites. You can also find my CV here.
Ken Mathis Lohatepanont 