In the early 1990s, Thailand launched an informal initiative called the Baht Economic Zone that sought to set up the Thai baht as the currency of choice in the northern portion of the Southeast Asian peninsula. The development of the Baht Economic Zone and Thailand's alliance with the West during the Cold War gave the state a major economic advantage over its neighbors. Today, the Thai baht is widely used, often viewed as more trustworthy than other domestic currencies, and many businesses choose to settle their accounts in Thai baht. But Thailand is beginning to lose its head start. Bangkok has been embroiled in several political crises, violent street protests have alarmed investors and frequent changes of government have led to inconsistent policymaking.