PM’s world-politics adviser warns of ‘worrying future’

By THE NATION

 

Kobsak Pootrakool

 

Thailand will have to closely monitor the US-Iran conflict and the Cabinet will consider additional stimulus measures for the struggling economy at the end of this month, Kobsak Pootrakool, deputy secretary-general to the prime minister for political affairs, said on Wednesday (January 8).

 

His comment came hours after Iran launched missiles at two Iraqi bases where American troops are stationed, in apparent retaliation for Washington’s decision to kill a top Iranian general in a drone attack last Friday.

 

Kobsak said Thailand must be prepared for any reverberations from the dispute, whose direction is wholly unpredictable.

 

“This attack could possibly have an impact to the world broadly, and Thailand’s economy will be affected unavoidably, whether in the stock market or in the prices of oil and gold,” he said. “We need to look at economy-boosting measures to be used in the worrying future.”

 

Kobsak said one measure the government has studied is called “Capital Adding, SMEs Thailand”, designed to assist small and medium-sized enterprises stricken by unexpected setbacks.

 

“SME entrepreneurs can be knocked out easily if they’re hit by a severe impact,” he said.

 

He also planned to broach infrastructure development with the Cabinet, as well as tourism and “spatial economic” development.

 

“Now that concessions have been granted for developing the Eastern Economic Corridor [EEC], the next stage is to beckon other investors to the area and build Chachoengsao Smart City.

 

“The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council will also propose the establishment of a Northern Economic Corridor and Southern Economic Corridor, which would follow the EEC model.”

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30380289

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-01-08

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Seems 'Corridors' are the answer to all woes !

59 minutes ago, trainman34014 said:

Seems 'Corridors' are the answer to all woes !

Fiddling while Rome gets ready to burn. That's all. Long as they can keep their snouts in the trough prepared for them, all will be well, and that's all they're really interested in.

Edited January 8, 20206 yr by ParkerN

He mentioned the EEC.  Anytime you can talk about the junta's pet project in anything completely unrelated is a good thing for junta mania.   He gets a pat on the head and a lolly. 

Another knee-jerk, reactive comment, prematurely made.

Another excuse.

 

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Cabinet will consider additional stimulus measures for the struggling economy at the end of this month,

....like setting up a committee by any chance ?

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

PM’s world-politics adviser warns of ‘worrying future’

He also does lucky lottery numbers...

 

Seven posts and not one constructive post, just lots of name calling and sarcasm, it's like the school yard!

4 minutes ago, saengd said:

Seven posts and not one constructive post, just lots of name calling and sarcasm, it's like the school yard!

Yes, let's all work together with the government in helping them polish a turd. 

8 minutes ago, saengd said:

Seven posts and not one constructive post, just lots of name calling and sarcasm, it's like the school yard!

Pretty hard to be "constructive" against nonsense like this.

 

Maybe the reason for "not one constructive post" is because most of us can recognize a cow flap (aka BS) before we step in it.

6 minutes ago, rkidlad said:

Yes, let's all work together with the government in helping them polish a turd. 

As if to prove the point!

1 minute ago, saengd said:

As if to prove the point!

Thanks. Have you told the Americans that you can't manipulate a currency? That might go a long way in solving this problem. That and not talking about it, of course. 

5 minutes ago, rkidlad said:

Thanks. Have you told the Americans that you can't manipulate a currency? That might go a long way in solving this problem. That and not talking about it, of course. 

Actually, yes!

 

 

Just now, saengd said:

Actually, yes!

 

 

Well if you can't see it, how could financial experts in the US see it? Why is this even a story? 

 

All is well and the Americans won't negatively affect the economy now. Great!

6 minutes ago, rkidlad said:

Well if you can't see it, how could financial experts in the US see it? Why is this even a story? 

 

All is well and the Americans won't negatively affect the economy now. Great!

You think! Given the chance to do the wrong thing I suspect they will seize the moment.

Just now, saengd said:

You think! Given the chance to do the wrong thing I suspect they will seize the moment.

Of course! They did so often with previous governments and the currency, right? 

The last thing in their collective minds is the plight of expats—we get that.  But they should care about, and spend more effort on exports and tourism—instead of Middle East conflicts.

If the present conflict escalates into to full blown war then many countries (won't say all) will be affected but it all depends on 'If this...if that...what if...etc'. Not a lot of point in thinking about it unless, of course one is going to 'take sides' or one has a pot of gold in a place that might be blown to smithereens, Ha! 

42 minutes ago, saengd said:

Seven posts and not one constructive post, just lots of name calling and sarcasm, it's like the school yard!

Then tell us why the EEC is a good thing.  Enlighten us.  Come up with an argument as to why we should support these junta talking points. 

 

In places like Taiwan, SME's are nimble and the bulk of the economy.  They do not need government help.  Why are SME's in Thailand so fragile ? 

Thailand only has one problem. a very corrupt government. They just changed there military uniforms for Suiets That is all.  

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Kobsak said one measure the government has studied is called “Capital Adding, SMEs Thailand”, designed to assist small and medium-sized enterprises stricken by unexpected setbacks.

Like the PM screwing up the economy and almost putting them all out of business.

5 minutes ago, yellowboat said:

Then tell us why the EEC is a good thing.  Enlighten us.  Come up with an argument as to why we should support these junta talking points. 

 

In places like Taiwan, SME's are nimble and the bulk of the economy.  They do not need government help.  Why are SME's in Thailand so fragile ? 

We've been there on this point already, there's no need to come up with an argument why it's a good thing to do, the government is spending money on developing business infrastructure to improve the economy but you personally don't like that particular idea, get over it.

 

Why are SME's here so fragile you ask. Well yes they are, or so it seems. I refer back to the link I provided earlier, business in Thailand is still embryonic and the deck is loaded against foreign competition. Twenty years ago the country was in the dog house, growth and stability take time to establish. Perhaps when Thai businesses are more experienced and stable they'll be in a position to compete internationally and/or compete with foreign competition, today they are not. Is that a bad thing and is it fair....no, of course but growing a country from 80% rice farmers takes time and a different set of rules perhaps than most of us are used to.

 

And who created this worrying future for Thailand? only 1 person to blame...

2 minutes ago, ubon farang said:

Thailand only has one problem. a very corrupt government. They just changed there military uniforms for Suiets That is all.  

Like that's never been done in any other country in the world throughout history that has subsequently developed into a well managed democracy, over time!!!

16 minutes ago, saengd said:

Like that's never been done in any other country in the world throughout history that has subsequently developed into a well managed democracy, over time!!!

1) This thread is about Thailand, not other countries.

 

2) You say, "over time!!!". They've had over 5 years. How much time do you think they need?

The average life span of a Thai is 75.50 years. Time is short, how long should they wait for positive change?

Just now, neeray said:

1) This thread is about Thailand, not other countries.

 

2) You say, "over time!!!". They've had over 5 years. How much time do you think they need?

The average life span of a Thai is 75.50 years. Time is short, how long should they wait for positive change?

 

26 minutes ago, saengd said:

Like that's never been done in any other country in the world throughout history that has subsequently developed into a well managed democracy, over time!!!

5 years + article 44. If it got worse over time when they could do as they pleased, it certainly isn't going to get better now that there are more obstacles in the way. 

 

Let's face it - how can anyone honestly take anything positive from any of this? 

2 minutes ago, neeray said:

1) This thread is about Thailand, not other countries.

 

2) You say, "over time!!!". They've had over 5 years. How much time do you think they need?

The average life span of a Thai is 75.50 years. Time is short, how long should they wait for positive change?

So what, it's not OK to cite examples of other countries for comparison or as a guide....really, is that the case!

 

There's no set, one size fits all formula for these things, is there! Here's a list of countries that have been down the same route, you figure out how long it takes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_dictatorship

 

 

2 minutes ago, rkidlad said:

 

5 years + article 44. If it got worse over time when they could do as they pleased, it certainly isn't going to get better now that there are more obstacles in the way. 

 

Let's face it - how can anyone honestly take anything positive from any of this? 

We know you can't because that's the easy way out. Others may look at all of this and think that it's just another step in the development process, for which there is no quick and easy answer, despite your aspirations that there might be. I'm guessing that people like you think that Thailand should just have open and democratic elections so that the people can chose rather than be led, that in a country where the education level is so very very low, vote buying is still the norm, corruption is rampant, etc etc etc. Democracy is not one size fits all either, some populations simply aren't able to handle it or are not sufficiently developed to sensibly allow it.

4 minutes ago, saengd said:

We know you can't because that's the easy way out. Others may look at all of this and think that it's just another step in the development process, for which there is no quick and easy answer, despite your aspirations that there might be. I'm guessing that people like you think that Thailand should just have open and democratic elections so that the people can chose rather than be led, that in a country where the education level is so very very low, vote buying is still the norm, corruption is rampant, etc etc etc. Democracy is not one size fits all either, some populations simply aren't able to handle it or are not sufficiently developed to sensibly allow it.

"Democracy is not one size fits all either, some populations simply aren't able to handle it or are not sufficiently developed to sensibly allow it"

 

Ah, the soft bigotry of low expectation. 

4 minutes ago, rkidlad said:

"Democracy is not one size fits all either, some populations simply aren't able to handle it or are not sufficiently developed to sensibly allow it"

 

Ah, the soft bigotry of low expectation. 

"Cynical realism is the intelligent persons best excuse for doing nothing".

 

Aldous Huxley