Peabody

UNCTAD points out Thai Econ remains strong

BANGKOK, 30 Aug 2013 (NNT) - Dr. Supachai Panitchpak, Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), pointed out that the economy of Thailand remains strong while suggesting economic restructuring to improve overall performance.

Dr. Supachai considered the current massive outflow of foreign capital due to the U.S. Quantitative Easing (QE) withdrawal, as not a sign of fragility in the local economy, saying only small segment is being affected by the phenomena.

He said that the QE withdrawal is a good thing as it gives a clear image of the actual situation of the basic economy to Asian nations so they can readjust their production volume and management strategies accordingly in order to attract foreign investment. He cited however a short term effect such as shrinking economic growth.

Dr. Suphachai said that nonetheless Thailand needs to increase its competitive level, suggesting the Government put greater investment on production efficiency to spearhead similar investment in the private sector, in order to achieve a sustainable economic growth. Dr. Supachai clarifies that the practice would not affect the public debt despite its potential to reach more than 60% of the GPD as a multitude of investments would benefit long term employments and revenue.

-- NNT 2013-08-30

Did Supachai say this as a rep of UNCTAD or did he say it as a loyal Thai wearing blinders?

RICE-PLEDGINGCommerce insists no irregularity in Bt80,000 cheque

The NationBANGKOK: -- The Commerce Ministry insisted that there is no irregularity in the Bt80,000 cheque, in response to a National Anti-corruption Commission notice about a payment of an unusually small amount for a government-to-government rice deal.

It said in a statement issued today that the cheque carrying Bt80,000 was issued for the final cargo of 50 sacks of rice as part of a deal agreed on a large-scale purchase involving 20,000 sacks.

The statement was released at the press conference today at the ministry.

On a pay-before-transport condition under the statement said was a standard procedure, this unidentified buyer paid for the last shipment of around 50 100-kg sacks worth around Bt80,000 with this cashier’s cheque, said the statement. Most of the entire shipment had earlier been transported out of a warehouse, also under the pay-before-transport condition, and this shipment of the final 50 sacks was the last out, thus resulting in a cheque issued for its price of Bt80,000, added the statement.

This shipment had been sold as a wholesale involving an entire stack consisting 2,000 tonnes or rice, or around 20,000 sacks, under a separate condition. The Commerce Ministry’s statement said the pay-before-transport condition had been adopted for any purchases made either through government-to-government or individual deals, between private businesses and independent buyers, and the Commerce Ministry, but did not specify whether this deal in question was a G2G deal or other types of contracts.

-- The Nation 2013-07-11

So then where are the big checks?

Even more interesting... Who is the nut paying 16,000 THB/ton for rice?

The original article is an odd mix of two different technologies, IVF and stem cell differentiation. Other than the fact that this cell bank stores cells involved in both technologies, the IVF stuff has nothing to do with the cardiac tissue from stem cells material. The author demonstrates his confusion by alternating discussion of both topics in the article.

Plus, the title suggests actual tissue development, while the body states that they hope for success "within three years...".

The details can be seen in the Thai researchers' publication in an internationally recognized, peer-reviewed journal, but somebody neglected the link to that article.

So typical. From the BBC article:

"In 2011 the Thai police launched the Missing Persons Management Centre (MPMC). It was supposed to be a focal point for sharing information about missing people in Thailand.

The BBC spoke to Police Colonel Assanee, the head of the MPMC, four times over the course of several days for this story.

He was unable to give us any information on how many missing people were on the database and how many had been found."

Any recent info?

I wonder if they seized the customary 10 baht in illegal proceeds?

So... 500+ injured.

The good news is, thanks to Thaksin, it will only cost 30 x 500 = 15,000 THB to treat the lot.

Who says he's not a hero?

I was getting my ticket at the BTS station when an Indian guy followed me and asked me if I came from Russia.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

... Next time as you claim if a Indian looking guy approach you asking "Are you from Russia ?" you ask him back, where he is from and post here.

If you have mobile with camera take a picture and complain to police.

Indians have better job to do in their own country.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You: "Help me officer, an Indian looking man approached me and asked if I am Russian."

Thai cop: "Well, are you?"

I wouldn't expect too much help in that department!

"The ministry wants alcohol sales for permit categories 3 and 4, which cover alcoholic drinks manufactured inside and outside the country, restricted from 5pm to midnight instead of 5pm to 2am.

What am I missing here? Seems that the restriction period is being SHORTENED by 2 hours.

Couple years ago, one of the Indians on Beach Rd Pattaya gave me his spiel.

My shirt had a button that had fallen off. I asked him if he could sew it back on.

"Oh, no sir"

Really? Can't sew on one missing button? Then how are you going to make my &lt;deleted&gt;' suit, &lt;deleted&gt;?

<snip>

Eventually I believe the EFL teachers will have to be recruited internationally on a competitive wage scale. Other asian countries have had to do this to attract legitimate decent teachers and not fly by night backpackers or sex tourists. Unfortunately because Thailand is a developing world country they will amost always fall behind in attracting the best candidates.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would second this. I actually said the same thing earlier, but my words were perhaps a bit too strong for this forum, hence deleted, sorry all. I'll try again...

My guess is that most teachers are actually not here for the money. However, most people have a point at which they almost feel insulted at certain wages being offered. I think it is probably more important to provide a good working environment for foreign teachers than to try to raise wages to anything near competitive with those in the west. And the cost of providing this environment? MUCH less than wage increases.

Part of this involves emphasizing academics more than is currently being done. I think the largest reason for failure by Thai students (not what the report card says, rather the actual failure to learn) is that they cannot fail. The MOE goes back and forth on this issue- last year they announced that we would revert back to the old "students CAN fail" policy. This seems to have been quietly forgotten and was almost certainly tied into the fiasco and discord about raising the weight of GPA in calculating a student's qualifications for university admission.

A large part is also affording the same respect to foreign teachers as that given to Thai teachers by students, administrators and Thai staff. One would hope for a balance between face and truth, each being important to the various cultures, but to a differing degree. The native speakers hate being lied to and have a rather different idea about this issue than do the Thais. I am sure that Thais dislike being asked the "when" and "why" questions by farang- it means that, at some point, they may be "wrong", an unacceptable outcome (I think it's more unacceptable than many Westerners can imagine!)

The Thai/native speaker discord is also fueled, of course, by the pay disparities. Thais believe, erroneously, that they are doing the same job as the farang. I say erroneously because the instruction given by native speakers neccesitates a good command of the English language, something the Thais generally do not have, at least not at the same levels. An increase in farang salaries can only widen this disparity and discord.

The fact that Thailand is still emerging from 3rd world status has a huge influence on the economic aspects of making teaching in LOS more attractive to foreigners. While there are many things that make people want to stay in Thailand, to take, for example, a skilled scientist/science teacher who can easily make $30,000-60,000/year in the States, with 180 non-working days, retirement, a good health plan and a minimum of impossibly complex and undefined paperwork just to be allowed to live there on a daily/monthly/yearly basis might take more than smiling, vague promises from some Thai governement rep.

I hope this was phrased a bit better than my original, rather vituperative, post!

Update:

Airlines in dispute over airport incident

However, the airline also stressed that the incident was a minor one,and the press had blown it out of proportion.

Although the wing tip had fallen off the plane, this would not have compromised passenger safety in any way should the plane have continued its flight.

********************************************************************

I've been saying for years, those wingtips are not needed and are simply an unneccessary "add-on", designed to line some politicians pockets.

They oughtta leave those ###### things off and return the savings to the flying community!

:sarcasm:

In other news, Thai Airways has decided to stop replacing broken windows on airliners. "As a benefit to our customers, we will use the increased cool air flow to reduce the load on the aircon systems. Savings will be passed on to politicians and airline execs, thus rewarding our passengers with the knowledge that they are helping others." said ThaiAir spokesmouth Somchai Earhard.

Tried several different search strings, but cannot (re)locate any information on this.

My employer is starting to become adamant that THEY keep my work permit, for "safekeeping" and for "my convenience".

Seems to me that it is mine and is my responsibility. I.e., they "lose" it, I pay. I quit, delay in getting it back to labor, I pay, I need it for something (banking/phone/car/licensecredit/etc.), pain in the neck for me to have to borrow my wp back from them.

Anybody got the skinny or some experience in this?

TIA

Btw, been posting here off and on about 2 years, but can't seem to loginh under old similar handle anymore sad.gif

deleted. Posted in wrong forum.

Sorry

Moved to here