Srikcir

13 hours ago, webfact said:

Somkid pushes for resumption of FTA talks with EU (my bold)

Another Nation expose story title having no relevance to an article!

13 hours ago, webfact said:

Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak is wooing the EU

"Wooing" is definitely not "pushing."

4 hours ago, Cadbury said:

China, like many countries, might trade with EU but it does NOT have an FTA. 

In the absence of an FTA, 164 countries use the World Trade Organization rules.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-45112872

22 hours ago, webfact said:

He underlined care for the elderly, noting that economic advancement is the key to accommodating an aging society.

Yes so important.

According to Director-general Wuthikrai Leeweerapan in January 2019, Thailand lacks medical professionals such as doctors, nurses, assistant nurses, nutritionists and therapists to meet the demand for adequate domestic senior care.

"economic advancement" is not a key but just a slogan.

If Thailand wants to be the Hub of Superior Elderly Care it's going to initially need to attract foreign qualified medical professionals as it intensifies and incentivizes training of an adequate domestic professional medical workforce. But as Prayut puts priorities into unsustainable programs such as multiple-year military acquisitions and sundry agriculture subsidies, its hard to envision adequate budget for the nation's healthcare needs.

I would think that Prayut as Head of Government and Chair of the Council of Ministers (aka Cabinet) would be required to approve Education Minister's ban on said chemicals.

As the Minister of Agriculture is still "reviewing" the ban, PM Prayut would want a uniform government position on any ban across all relevant ministries. Hence, I believe that the Education Minister's announcement can only be considered advisory and not mandatory and enforceable.

8 hours ago, webfact said:

a Chinese shipbuilding company build a Type 071E landing platform dock (LPD) warship for the Thai navy

From Thailand to acquire amphibious ship from China (https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2019/09/12/thailand-to-acquire-amphibious-ship-from-china/ ):

• No details regarding the price, delivery dates or onboard systems were disclosed, though Thai newspaper The Bangkok Post reported that the ship will cost $200.7 million, with construction to last three years. Thai media reports previously said the Chinese design would cost $130 million.
• “the Type 071E has been integrated with several major improvements and upgrades” and is “more advanced in technology and more powerful in comprehensive performance than the PLA’s in-commission Type 071 integrated LPD.”

Considering all the government's spending priorities, surely this purchase isn't necessary.

5 hours ago, Tug said:

I’m surprised putin allowed Donald to do this or perhaps he was more worried about the backlash here 

We really don't know what Trump has done other than to publicly agree to "release" the funds.

7 hours ago, webfact said:

An administration official confirmed that the money had been released, providing no explanation. The White House had said only that it was reviewing the Ukraine aid programme.

"Release" may only mean that Treasury will set up an account for fund disbursement to Ukraine government. But actual issuance of funds via bank transfers can be slowed, delayed and/or not fully disbursed for the next fiscal year due to sundry excuses by Trump. Putin may have some suggestions for Trump in their frequent private calls. 

Mention of a "review" is sinister - review would have taken place prior to original request for funds as part of the U.S. fiscal year funding request from Congress. Why now would another review be necessary?

7 hours ago, sammieuk1 said:

the two sides discussed details of the PPP project to ensure the government does not lose huge sums like it did with unfinished ventures like the Hopewell project.

In fact the CP JV had asked the government (SRT) to compensate CP JV as low successful bidder for any delays in addition to the terms of the TOR but SRT rejected such compensation (as well as ten other CP post-TOR conditions). So it might be that terms of compensation for government caused delays might be under negotiations again because of the Hopewell experience.

Such a clause would be justified.

But that would amount to amending the TOR and open the government to charges of collusion by the unsuccessful bidders who made their bids based on the terms of the original TOR, ie., higher bids made due to potential costs from government delays that would have to be absorbed!

What might give the CP JV leverage in SRT agreeing to add additional favorable terms to the TOR such as compensation for government delay? Well, one of the CP Group partners is a China state-owned enterprise that might be a lending source for CP. Prayut isn't one to reject China infrastructure loans.

5 hours ago, dallen52 said:

Normally I would have expected an impact study. 

Prayut had invoked Article 44 to kick start the project.

No impact study required.

7 hours ago, Cadbury said:

ease of doing business in Thailand

Sometimes it seems that ease requires a joint venture with a China state-owned enterprise.

On 9/10/2019 at 12:30 PM, BritManToo said:

Price at the farms was 10Bht/Kg, they're claiming the drought doubled the price, so that would be 20Bht/Kg.

So @35Bht there's still a profit margin of 75%, if less then the 150% markup they really wanted.

It is "Private companies that have signed a contract with the Department of Internal Trade" to produce 200,000-300,000 bags of glutinous rice," not farmers. So these private companies may act as middlemen who will take their markup in sale to the government. That likely brings the retail price to or above market price.

In turn the government retails the rice at below market value, covering the difference as another subsidy. As a result the government distorts downward the cost of living (and inflation) for appearances sake.

Give the average Thai a pay raise and lower VAT to 5% but supplement with no VAT refunds for tourists.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

“I will not take anybody’s side. Everything will be done in line with the evidence, and the DSI will do its best to solve the case,”

Then why does PM Prayut NOT recuse himself from supervising DSI concerning this case?

In fact why is Prayut's direct supervision of DSI even necessary for any of DSI's investigations?

DSI's "parent" department is the Minister of Justice Somsak Thepsutin, member of the Sam Mitr (Three Allies) political faction. So it might even be unconstitutional for Prayut to appoint himself to supervise DSI as if he were the Minster of Justice.

But maybe Prayut doesn't trust Somsak to assure that DSI will do its best to solve the case. Or that DSI might too well solve the case?

Might it be Prawit's advice to Prayut to supercede Somsak's ministry role with DSI (August 23, 2019):

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/justice-minister-somsak-says-he-wont-resign-as-an-mp/

• In apparent defiance of Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin announced Friday that he would not quit as a Palang Pracharat party-list MP, claiming that, by retaining his parliamentary membership, he would be able to perform his duties and to reach out to his constituents more efficiently.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Leading Turkish companies showing an interest in the EEC

They likely will find that Chinese companies are heavily embedded in Thailand as a major competitor. Thailand also uses joint ventures with China state-owned businesses in connection with infrastructure projects funded by Chinese loans.

Turkish companies will have to bring to Thailand businesses not typically found in Thailand or ASEAN for that matter if they want to enter the market successfully. Turkey's main export markets are the EU (50%), Iraq, USA, Israel and Russia. https://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/countries-and-regions/countries/turkey/

I don't see how Turkey can improve its GDP growth by bringing its businesses to Thailand versus simply investing in its own country. And don't even think about mining operations in Thailand!

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Prawit is known to serve as the government’s manager.

In a mafia it would be an Enforcer.

Thai constitutions are traditionally changed after each coup.

The military is too busy currently and it would look odd for PM Prayut to overthrow a majority pro-military parliament.

Most Startup Friendly Countries In The World, 2019

https://ceoworld.biz/2019/01/02/most-startup-friendly-countries-in-the-world-2019/

The top ten countries overall (ranked #1-#10 in the following order) are the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Israel, India, Germany, Poland, Malaysia, Sweden, and Denmark.

Why the U.S. #1?

In part it is home to 119 institutions among the world’s top 500 Universities For 2019.

Thailand has none. Some other comparisons in top 500: South Korea has 6; Singapore has 2; and Malaysia has 1.

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2019/world-ranking#!/page/0/length/25/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats

Some other startup rankings:

#4 Israel; #8 Malaysia; #13 Singapore; #18 South Korea; #23 Japan; #33 Indonesia.

Thailand's challenge #50

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Etran is in discussion with the PTT Group to expand the charging station network across all high populated areas, both indoor and outdoor. The charging stations will use Type2 technology with maximum current at 36A, compatible to all Etran vehicles and other electric vehicles in the market. 

7/11 very near me just had a two-car EA Anywhere station installed recently that is suitable for Plug-In Hybrid electric vehicles with type 2 socket according to Thailand standards. So Etran should be compatible with this charging station.

3 hours ago, neeray said:

I promptly taught myself to be extra vigilant when crossing the road.

Or when the motorbike comes up behind you running against traffic on the sidewalk.

2 hours ago, robblok said:

I think that they are actually quite serious about this case

Indeed!

That must be why PM Prayut placed himself in charge of DSI.

If there's someone who knows about murder of civilian protestors ...

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

court’s newly launched settlement system

This may refer to the Thailand Arbitration Act B.E.2545 (2002)¹ amended by the “Thailand Arbitration Center (THAC) Rule on Small Claims Arbitration, B.E. 2560 (2017) and edited [sic] by Thailand Arbitration Center Rules On Small Claims Arbitration (No.2) B.E. 2561 (2018).

https://www.thac.or.th/theme/file_system/20190429083849.pdf

• Unless otherwise agreed by disputing parties, this ruleshall apply to arbitration by which the parties agree to be a means for settlement conducted by the THAC with a combined claim amount under both claim and counterclaim of no more than Thai Baht 35million. If the claim amount exceeds this sum, the THAC rules on arbitration applicable at the time the arbitration commences shall apply to that arbitration.

Some interesting points of the law that could work against a plaintiff:

Arbitration decision is guided by the ex aeguo et bone principle -

• the power of arbitrators to dispense with consideration of the law but consider solely what they consider to be fair and equitable in the case at hand.

Challenge of Arbitration award taken to the court that might rule -

• (a) The award deals with a dispute not capable of settlement by arbitration under the law; or
• (b) The recognition or enforcement of the award would be contrary to public policy.

¹  https://tai.coj.go.th/th/file/get/file/20190328ecac5333356ffad0331bd601151db9f4142557.pdf

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said today that he is no longer directly in charge of Thailand’s national economic affairs, but merely oversees four related ministries

DPM now stands for "Department of Promises Management."

He will be the one to blame for failure.

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Govt seeks more funds from Beijing for three projects including Bangkok-Kunming Highway

Recalling part of Prayut's speech at the Fifth Bloomberg ASEAN Business Summit on “The Future of Thailand and ASEAN” (21 June 2019):

https://www.asean2019.go.th/en/news/keynote-speech-delivered-by-his-excellency-general-prayut-chan-o-cha-ret-prime-minister-of-the-kingdom-of-thailand-at-the-fifth-bloomberg-asean-business-summit-on-the-future-of-thailand-an/

• "It is my intention to see a Thailand that radiates strength from within, supported by solid economic fundamentals from the grassroots level. The Thai private sector and ASEAN are our strengths in reducing the development gap and generating real growth from the grassroots level, by distributing growth to people with low income and SMEs, as well as connecting them to the global value chain. The Sufficiency Economy Philosophy is an important tool in creating sustainable development, and strengthening resilience against external challenges. Moreover, it is also applicable to inclusive growth in the ASEAN context  Vision on ASEAN and the Region"
• "I am confident that Thailand and ASEAN are capable of coping with these challenges, and that we are able to act as a stable platform for trade and investment and be the solution that caters to the needs of investors worldwide. In addition, we would maintain ASEAN centrality in the regional architecture amidst major power competition in the region."
• "The private sector can have confidence in Thailand and seize every opportunity from Thailand and ASEAN’s readiness to expand business ventures."

Borrowing again from China (and likely making awards to Thai joint ventures with China State-owned companies) is NOT a sustaining economic policy.

For the last five years as the junta Chief and PM Prayut has promised investments from Thailand Public-Private Partnerships to fund government infrastructure projects such as the Chinese dual rail project. Such efforts have obviously failed to evolve.

Now Prayut has in effect declared that Thailand and ASEAN is NOT capable of coping with such challenges. But in fairness maybe a different Thai leadership can.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Praising Thailand’s efforts so far, he noted that some issues need to be addressed since certain influential figures and groups with vested interests still pose obstacles when it comes to building a less-corrupt society. 

Is he referring to the last couple days of the newly elected House?

Because otherwise:

• did he miss the use of absolute power by the military junta for five years to override anti-corruption laws, reject an elected House and encourage a society to accept corruption as a way of life (ie., through loyalty, patronage, "gifts," government nepotism)?
• did he miss a junta-written constitution, junta-appointed pro-military Senate and pro-military Election Commission that assure survival of the junta's government infrastructure matrix for at least to 2032?
• did he miss the junta laws that limited a free and open election in 2019 while the junta itself ignored those laws for its own election advantage?
• did he miss that the Army's Internal Security Operations Command is politically embedded throughout all levels of local civil government to assure compliance with the junta's National Strategic Plan?
• etc.

Really the only thing he can praise is that the current government hasn't been caught directly by the Public or by whistleblowers for outright corruption. Give it a year and see if the military's "pavlovian conditioning" has succeeded in the new government.

2 hours ago, webfact said:

cease his divisive rhetoric which, he claims, is inciting public distrust and misunderstanding of the government.

You mean along the same lines as when former PM Abhisit made similar accusations of the Yingluck regime as an opposition party? I don't recall Yingluck telling Abhisit to cease his divisive rhetoric.

Of course when a political party has a coup-prone military in their "back pocket," divisiveness is the name of the game.