Govt economic performance ‘most unimpressive’: poll

[webfact]

Govt economic performance ‘most unimpressive’: poll

By The Nation

 

 

INCOME INEQUALITY, LACK OF POLITICAL REFORM AND STALLED DEEP SOUTH PEACE PROCESS ALL SEEN AS WEAK POINTS

 

DESPITE unrelenting efforts to revive the economy and spur |higher economic growth in the third quarter of this year, the Prayut |government has scored low marks for its economic management and prevailing income inequalities, according to the latest National Institute of Development Adminis-tration (Nida) opinion survey.

 

The Nida poll, which was conducted last Wednesday and Thursday with a sampling of 1,250 persons nationwide, showed respondents were “most unimpressed” by the government’s performance regarding their economic well-being, followed by political reforms, election preparation and the government’s handling of the deep South unrest.

 

On a positive note, the survey showed the government’s “most impressive” work over the past one year was considered to be its subsidy for newborn babies, which was cited by 75.6 per cent of respondents. The reclamation of forest land and farmland management was cited by 64.8 per cent of respondents, while new regulations on street vendors, motorcycle taxis and vans, as well as land use at public beaches, were both cited by 62.5 per cent of respondents.

 

According to Nida, respondents were 18 years and older with 34.5 per cent saying they were “very impressed” by the government’s performance, 23.6 per cent saying “impressed” and 21.6 per cent “not quite impressed”.

 

Of the respondents, 8.2 per cent are Bangkok residents, while 25.8 per cent live in Bangkok’s peripheral areas and other Central provinces. Another 18.6 per cent of respondents live in northern provinces while 32.8 per cent and 14.4 per cent are northeastern and southern residents respectively.

 

In terms of income, 12 per cent said they had no income, while 25 per cent said they earned an income of less than Bt10,000 per month.

 

Another 21.2 per cent said their incomes were between Bt10,000 and Bt20,000 per month, while 11.6 per cent and 5.6 per cent said they earned Bt20,001 to Bt30,000 and Bt30,000 to Bt40,000 respectively. Another 10.08 per cent said their income was more than Bt40,000 per month and 14.4 per cent did not specify any income.

 

The latest poll shows that the government’s economic management has not delivered results for low and middle-income groups despite the higher GDP growth rate of nearly 4 per cent in the third quarter of this year.

 

The stronger growth rate was due to the improved performance of export industries and the recovery of global markets. 

 

Most economic benefits, however, have concentrated among exporters and higher-income groups resulting in an uneven distribution of wealth.

 

On the political front, most respondents were not impressed by the government’s political reform agenda and its preparation for the next general election, while efforts to resolve problems in the southernmost provinces also left respondents unimpressed.

 

However, the US Trade Representative’s latest upgrade of Thailand’s status from the Priority Watch List to the Watch List, which represented a promotion, was good news for the government over the weekend.

 

The upgrade is expected to boost the economy and foreign investor confidence in Thailand, while the European Union earlier restored full political contacts with Thailand after downgrading relations in the wake of the 2014 coup.

 

The EU will also explore possibilities to resume negotiations with Thailand on a major Thai-EU Free Trade Agreement suspended more than three years ago.

 

Public evaluates recent policies

 

Top three “most impressive” policies

1.    State subsidy for newborns (75.6 per cent of respondents)

2.    Forest land reclamations and farmland reform (64.8 per cent of respondents)

3.    New regulations on street vendors, motorcycle taxies, vans, etc (62.5 per cent of respondents)

 

Top three “most unimpressive” policies

1.    Economic management and well-being (58.1 per cent of respondents)

2.    Political reforms and election preparations (47.7 per cent of respondents)

3.    Deep South unrest (47.2 per cent of respondents)

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30334164

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-12-18

[kaorop]

No one I speak to is happy with the economy and as anyone with half a brain knows, uphappy people spend less and this just snowballs. I see it firsthand trying to sell some of my belongings at greatly reduced prices. They are of course fast tracking projects that suit them, eg: the 7 extension to utapo, they want to be able to go from their bkk mansions to their private jets without having to stop. Their boots are now well full and overflowing. I feel badly for the locals that have been disempowered and now thoroughly shafted..

[Samui Bodoh]

16 minutes ago, webfact said:

Govt economic performance ‘most unimpressive’: poll

All polls in Thailand need to be taken with a grain of salt, but I would guess that this is roughly true. A quick look at the growth rates of Thailand's neighbours shows that Thailand is lagging badly in comparison; I doubt that the Thai people are happy with that.

 

19 minutes ago, webfact said:

The latest poll shows that the government’s economic management has not delivered results for low and middle-income groups despite the higher GDP growth rate of nearly 4 per cent in the third quarter of this year

"...despite the higher GDP growth rate of nearly 4 per cent in the third quarter..."

Growth rate stats for one quarter are essentially meaningless. Me thinks the Nation was...er...ahem... instructed to highlight this number.

 

21 minutes ago, webfact said:

Top three “most impressive” policies

1.    State subsidy for newborns (75.6 per cent of respondents)

2.    Forest land reclamations and farmland reform (64.8 per cent of respondents)

3.    New regulations on street vendors, motorcycle taxies, vans, etc (62.5 per cent of respondents)

If "...new regulations on street vendors...etc..." are one of the top three accomplishments, then one needs to ask what the hell have you been doing all this time?

 

23 minutes ago, webfact said:

Top three “most unimpressive” policies

1.    Economic management and well-being (58.1 per cent of respondents)

2.    Political reforms and election preparations (47.7 per cent of respondents)

3.    Deep South unrest (47.2 per cent of respondents)

So, the "most unimpressive" have been Economics, Governance and Security.

 

Wow.

[candide]

If the NIDA starts publishing results that are not in favour of the Junta, it means there is some unsatisfaction among the traditional Junta's sponsors.....

[grumbleweed]

Not sure about this. After all; the way they acquired submarines instead of pouring money in to health, education and road safety was an absolute masterstroke

[Dave67]

We were looking at getting a car for the boy prices haven't gone up since we bought a new one 5 years ago. So looks like no one is spending money, Also we bought the car during the 100,000 off for 1.5 ltr we bought it straight off. Many who got  the cars on finance couldn't pay up so the market is flooded with 4 or 3 year old second-hand cars

[mikebell]

I thought police reform would figure amongst this Government's 'achievements'.  Oh well there's always next year.

[hansnl]

4 hours ago, kaorop said:

No one I speak to is happy with the economy and as anyone with half a brain knows, uphappy people spend less and this just snowballs. I see it firsthand trying to sell some of my belongings at greatly reduced prices. They are of course fast tracking projects that suit them, eg: the 7 extension to utapo, they want to be able to go from their bkk mansions to their private jets without having to stop. Their boots are now well full and overflowing. I feel badly for the locals that have been disempowered and now thoroughly shafted..

Well, if you put questions like that to any inhabitant of any country, it is quite possible you will get the same answers.

Everywhere the poor get poorer and the rich get richer.

Everywhere the export and economy is growing, and indeed, the poor don't get anything from that.

Everywhere the people feel that democracy doesn't seem to work anymore, the political class takes care of themselves and the highest bidders.

So, no difference.

A poll like this is just rubbish, the results will be nearly the same everywhere.

And the unrest in the south?

It is Islam induced, same all over the world, simply because they want the world's submission.

[Dave67]

1 minute ago, hansnl said:

Well, if you put questions like that to any inhabitant of any country, it is quite possible you will get the same answers.

Everywhere the poor get poorer and the rich get richer.

Everywhere the export and economy is growing, and indeed, the poor don't get anything from that.

Everywhere the people feel that democracy doesn't seem to work anymore, the political class takes care of themselves and the highest bidders.

So, no difference.

A poll like this is just rubbish, the results will be nearly the same everywhere.

And the unrest in the south?

It is Islam induced, same all over the world, simply because they want the world's submission.

What on Earth has it got to do Islam or Muslims?

[webfact]

More than half of people impressed with PM’s performance

By Thai PBS

 

 

More than half of the people are impressed with the performance of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha for this year but they are not happy with his government’s performance in addressing economic problems.

 

Nearly 24 percent of the respondents to Nida Poll said they are “very impressed” with the prime minister’s performance and 34.56 percent said they are impressed whereas 21.60 percent said they are not impressed with 19.68 percent said they are unimpressed at all.

 

Nida Poll of the National Institute of Development Administration surveyed the opinions of 1,250 people of 18 years old of age and above during Dec 13-14 about how impressed or unimpressed they are with the government’s performance. The poll was released yesterday (Dec 17).

 

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/half-people-impressed-pms-performance/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2017-12-18

[Eric Loh]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The stronger growth rate was due to the improved performance of export industries and the recovery of global markets. 

 

The junta always feel proud to show off the improved export figures but a realistic look at the export value in 2016 at USD 215 B was still a long way to catch up with pre-coup export value of USD291 B. Even the improved tourism numbers did little to grow the direct value contribution to GDP compare to pre-coup. TAT forecast that tourism will contribute directly to GDP to a value of 2.53 T Baht in 2016 and we achieved a less impressive contribution of 1.2T Baht. Overall the total GDP has shrank from pre-coup of 420 B to 406 B (2016). Household debts has not gone down as wages stayed stagnant and working opportunities are scarce. Nida is right and bold on their assessment of the junta government. The junta has dealt a massive injustice to the people well being and standard of living in contrast to the wealth displayed shamelessly by the generals.   

[BigBadGeordie]

This news is proudly brought to you by "Sycophants R Us".

[Srikcir]

3 hours ago, hansnl said:

A poll like this is just rubbish, the results will be nearly the same everywhere.

If the results will be nearly the same everywhere (as you say without substantiation), wouldn't its consistency validate it rather than making it "rubbish?"

To otherwise characterize the poll as rubbish is then to contradict your own validation. 

[Media1]

What government ?

[klauskunkel]

well, it's going to be a lasting impression...

[Lupatria]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

More than half of people impressed with PM’s performance

  ...the rest was sober.