The most combustible problem with Southeast Asian economic growth is that it is concentrated in the hands of a very distinct minority (namely the Chinese - the Jews of Southeast Asia)
The communities coexist in relative harmony, but the wealth gap among them is grave. Despite making up 60% of the population, Malays own just 19% of the economy, trailing far behind the minority ethnic Chinese, who make up only a quarter of the population but hold 40% of the economy;
IIRC it's worse (wealth gap is bigger + tensions are even higher) in Indonesia and worst in Philippines.
Yes, and its notable here in Thailand - and its a huge motivator behind the recent political troubles here. (though to be fair Thailand is more egalitarian than the USA).
According to this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_income_equality Thailand has a slightly higher UN Gini coefficient than the US. Although, the CIA one gives the US a slightly higher figure. Overall, it seems that the two have very similar income distributions.
