The Thai Economy Is In Crisis

[Prakanong]

"The Minister of Finance is set to evaluate on the monetary and financial master plan for 2007-2011 "

So I take it a democratically elected government would not have heir own financial plans, would not campaign on their own and would follow a dictatorships plans?

Nuff said

[ray23]

know I donl't consider myself and expert on Thialand, but I believe this man is and his word are not painting a rosey picture.

From the nation:

"His Majesty the King yesterday expressed his grave concern over the upcoming Constitution Tribunal verdict on the future of two major political parties and asked the country's top judges to do their best for the country and yet brace themselves for heavy criticism.

The message, which emphasised the country was on the brink of possibly another major crisis, was conveyed to top Supreme Administrative Court judges who were granted an audience to present the monarch a gown to commemmorate his 60-year reign.

The King described the verdict, due next Wednesday, as a "highly important" decision, which would cause a lot of trouble no matter how it turns out.

"It will be a highly important decision, which will cause you [judges in general] trouble no matter what," he said. "There will be trouble whether political parties remain or not, because [on one hand] political parties need to exist."

The monarch said even he himself was not supposed to speak out on this delicate matter.

"Regarding this issue, you [Administrative Court judges] are not supposed to say anything because you are not involved. Even I can't say if there should be or there shouldn't be political parties, or whether parties should be dissolved or not. That's why I said the gown you gave me gave me trouble. It came with no power. Whether one will wear the gown or not, there will be no power. Just like you. You have no power [regarding this matter] as well," he said.

The King asked the visiting judges, led by Supreme Administrative Court President Ackaratorn Chularat, to "rightly interpret" what he was trying to say.

"Whatever court you belong to, judges need to make the right interpretation, otherwise the country will be doomed," he said.

His Majesty reiterated that the upcoming verdict and reaction present Thailand with a potential crisis.

"You [Administrative Court judges] have the responsibility to judge, but not with the hammer. You can only decide within your heart whether the Constitution Tribunal makes the right ruling. Your responsibility and duty are to criticise the ruling. I have no right whatsoever to say if they are right or wrong, but in my heart I have to know whether they have done right or wrong. If they are wrong, there will be trouble whether or not political parties remain. I have the answer in my heart but I have no right to say it. Neither do you. But you must have the decision in your heart as to whether the Constitution Tribunal is right or wrong.

"But there will be trouble and damage, whatever ruling is made. Any decision can be a mistake. Therefore, there has to be some criticism. If there can't be official criticism, there has to be personal one. That's why I told you, you brought me trouble by bringing me this gown, because this gown means I'm also an Administrative Court judge.

"[We] can't issue any ruling because we are not the Constitution Tribunal. Being the Constitution Tribunal, they have the right to be involved in many things. But if you listen to radio over the past two days, there has been heavy criticism about the courts. You [Administrative Court judges] have to find a way to protect your fellow judges.

"...You took responsibility following what I said in Hua Hin over a year ago and consequently many things happened. And those things have their causes. But the things got entangled. And soon they may be more so. You must be well prepared to dispense some criticism - not as judges, but as individuals or specialists - to prevent our country from sinking and people saying we have done nothing or trying to solve the problem.

"You have the responsibility to prevent the country from sinking, to give more knowledge to knowledgeable people, or to educate those who have no knowledge, so that they will know which direction Thailand should take. You can think, and you can say it, because you are the ones with the knowledge. Please keep on trying to improve our country's situation, which is not good at all this year," the king said."

[ilyushin]

I am going out to help stimulate the economy right now. I will drink and eat the economy back into shape or at least try.

[Jai Dee]

know I donl't consider myself and expert on Thialand, but I believe this man is and his word are not painting a rosey picture.

From the nation:

<snipped for brevity>

This story is posted in this thread.

[Mid]

Please keep on trying to improve our country's situation, which is not good at all this year," the king said."

[Prakanong]

I am going out to help stimulate the economy right now. I will drink and eat the economy back into shape or at least try.

I will help you next week with this project.

I might also help the Indian taylors fund with some shirtss and maybe a tropical weight suit.

A Thai spectacle shop might also get some money but the majority will be on drink and food.

My last two trips I have had not eaten any Thai food at all so will make an effort this time but the only place for deffo is the new Taco place owned by Sunbelt.

My hotel is Thai owned as its a personal trip and not biz so I am not staying 5* ;-)

[highdiver]

I am going out to help stimulate the economy right now. I will drink and eat the economy back into shape or at least try.

I will help you next week with this project.

I might also help the Indian taylors fund with some shirtss and maybe a tropical weight suit.

A Thai spectacle shop might also get some money but the majority will be on drink and food.

My last two trips I have had not eaten any Thai food at all so will make an effort this time but the only place for deffo is the new Taco place owned by Sunbelt.

My hotel is Thai owned as its a personal trip and not biz so I am not staying 5* ;-)

you see how economy is great. instead of buying all those items in Singapore expensive shops, you come to spend your cash in thailand.

but please dont forget Mc donalds as you were very concerned with them yesterday.

and a small tip since you are in the Pharma trade. get your medical drugs as well as they are so cheap in thailand.

have a great hiliday in thailand we are so happy to have you.

[Prakanong]

I am going out to help stimulate the economy right now. I will drink and eat the economy back into shape or at least try.

I will help you next week with this project.

I might also help the Indian taylors fund with some shirtss and maybe a tropical weight suit.

A Thai spectacle shop might also get some money but the majority will be on drink and food.

My last two trips I have had not eaten any Thai food at all so will make an effort this time but the only place for deffo is the new Taco place owned by Sunbelt.

My hotel is Thai owned as its a personal trip and not biz so I am not staying 5* ;-)

you see how economy is great. instead of buying all those items in Singapore expensive shops, you come to spend your cash in thailand.

but please dont forget Mc donalds as you were very concerned with them yesterday.

and a small tip since you are in the Pharma trade. get your medical drugs as well as they are so cheap in thailand.

have a great hiliday in thailand we are so happy to have you.

I do hope to have a happy holiday - I always do (crosses fingers)

McDonalds - are you mistaking me for someone else - I do not believe I have mentioned them

The drugs I need are almost the same price in Thailand as they are in Singapore. I know they are real down here and I get them reimbursed so will get them here thanks ;-)

However I will be stocking up on certain medicines I only require if sick that i can buy OTC in Thaland and would have to see a Dr here - some of th embarrassing ones ;-)))))

As for clothes - its the made to measure stuff I get in Thailand and cheap t-shirts. This week I have bought 3 pairs of Marks & Spencers rousers and 1 Brookes Brothers shirt off the peg - can not get the quality of this in Thailand off the peg and the price here is good!

Glasses - yes cheaper in Thailand but could get for free in Singapore but will use that part of my "Healthcare" allowance for health screening and buy my own glasses in Thailand if I have time but Singaspore maybe out of necessity.

See it depends what I am buying - Singapore is better and often cheaper for some things. Thailand is cheaper and better for others. Then even the PI was better for shoes and India for IT books ;-)

If I go to the USA soon I will buy different items there as I will on my trip to Europe in September - isn't globalisation wonderful!

Edited May 25, 2007 by Prakanong

[mumbu]

the dooms day brigade just does not wish to learn.

Thailand is not seeking a short term speculative investment. it is seeking long term dedicated investors to add growth.

thailand is offering long term investors very good conditions through the BOI.

Thailand does not want small time investors that can not make it where they come from and are coming to Thailand to compete with the local business.

As for comapring Thaialands militery govermant with other countries in the region.

Sinagpore is a well known democracy. they realy give total freedom to citizens. and they allow people to speak out against the govermant.

Vietnam is yet another free country with no coruption and a stable democratic rule

Cambodia, burma, laos are in a great state too when it concerns "investors confidence"

and less we forget China. where forign investors are IP protected and the goverment is a free democracy.

Thailand is open for investment, however many speculators and short time investors are pissed of that the Thai goverment is not allowing them to invest as they see fit in thaialand.

the world is nearing the explosion of the liquidity bubble and the Thai goverment has to protect the Thais not the speculators who wish to rip the country off.

At least in my post I do not compare political systems but just economic policies. Those who are currently in charge in Thailand seems do not understand that the world around them is changing very rapidly. There is a very feirce competition

for investment in the region and Thailand is loosing to its neigbors due to various factor but including economic policies.

Those who are talking about the bubble pretend that they know how stock markets around the world are going to behave.

well, they do not. Neither do I. But most of the serious economists predict that very rapid economic growth in China and India

is hear to stay for many years to come. This is the crucial factor for the region, if not the world in general. Thailand is not positioning itself right in this new economic environment. The competion in the region will be bloody intense. Look at Malaysia.

There was a talk about the Iskander project jointly with Singapore. Cooperation between Malaysia and Singapore traditionally is very difficult but Malaysian government is doing its best to make the project successful despite all prejudices and difficult history. Look at Thailand. It seems Sonthi is doing what he can to ruin traditionally friendly and mutually beneficial relationships between two countries: staring with we want our Thai satellites back and ending up with ridiculuos statement that Singapore is spying on Thailand using former Shin's facilities. With this type of "leaders" Thailand has no future.

[ThaiGoon]

Finance Minister says the national economy, including figures of import and export, is improving, representing the higher investment in the future.

this gentleman can join the others who believe that because you say something it's true ,

facts , figures ???

The export rose 18.6% last month while the import rose by about 4% or so. I don't have an article with me right now. But you can google it yourself as I can't be arsed to keep spoonfeeding information to people like you.

[ThaiGoon]

Ahh, I just keep doing the spoonfeeding:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/220507_Business...y2007_biz47.php

FOREIGN TRADE

2007 export growth may be revised up

PHUSADEE ARUNMAS

In April alone, the import value of capital goods increased 4.9% compared with the same month last year to 2.85 billion baht, and the value of semi-finished goods jumped near 22% to 4.5 billion baht. During the first three months, imports of these two items were slow due to low confidence of both consumers and manufacturers.

Last month's bustling export performance fetched US$10.87 billion, an 18.5% rise year-on-year, which pushed up April's trade surplus to $255 million.

Total imports rose 8.9% year-on-year to $10.61 billion.

............

Sorry that my numbers were a bit off. My memory is not so good.

[bingobongo]

Informal debts increase due to economic slowdown: UTCC

more people turned to borrow money from their relatives or count on shark loans as commercial banks are more careful in lending.

Household’s income is not sufficient for spending mainly because product prices surged by 68.06 per cent.

http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=29566

[mumbu]

the dooms day brigade just does not wish to learn.

Thailand is not seeking a short term speculative investment. it is seeking long term dedicated investors to add growth.

thailand is offering long term investors very good conditions through the BOI.

Thailand does not want small time investors that can not make it where they come from and are coming to Thailand to compete with the local business.

I am wondering whether you understand what are you talking about. I will give you only two well-known examples.

1. New government regulations regarding foreign companies operating in Thailand: spooked Ford which suspended 1 billion dollars investment in Thailand (US dollars not bahts). Would you call it short term speculative investment? Or may be it is a long term dedicated investment to add growth? Which of the two?

2. Recent government (still to be approved by the King, I believe)act regarding restrictions on big foreign retailors operating in Thailand. So, what is wrong with Carrefour? I enjoyed it in Pattaya and now in Phuket (wish I had one in my home town).

More importantly, Thai people love it! Trade is great! Many good, well-paid jobs for Thai people. What is wrong with that?

New regulation requires approval by local authorities for new outlets for big retailors like Carrefour. Did you say that khun Thaksin was corrupted? Do not you think that this provision open new, lucrative venues for those corrupted local burocrats?

[palm]

Ahh, I just keep doing the spoonfeeding:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/220507_Business...y2007_biz47.php

FOREIGN TRADE

2007 export growth may be revised up

PHUSADEE ARUNMAS

In April alone, the import value of capital goods increased 4.9% compared with the same month last year to 2.85 billion baht, and the value of semi-finished goods jumped near 22% to 4.5 billion baht. During the first three months, imports of these two items were slow due to low confidence of both consumers and manufacturers.

Last month's bustling export performance fetched US$10.87 billion, an 18.5% rise year-on-year, which pushed up April's trade surplus to $255 million.

Total imports rose 8.9% year-on-year to $10.61 billion.

............

Sorry that my numbers were a bit off. My memory is not so good.

Yes, and we see this too from dealings with other exporters - business is up on last year. The Nonthaburi export department (where you have to get your cargo documents stamped etc) was packed last week with people waiting to get their forms processed.

Even with the Thai baht this strong, exports are proving very resilient indeed.

[Prakanong]

"he export rose 18.6% last month while the import rose by about 4% or so. I don't have an article with me right now. But you can google it yourself as I can't be arsed to keep spoonfeeding information to people like you"

Well at least you got one thing right - you use the English language correctly even under intense bombardment living where you do ;-) "Arsed"

However - and I only ask the question as I am not saying all the growth is down to this but how much of the increase is due to the high value of the THB

"Last month's bustling export performance fetched US$10.87 billion, an 18.5% rise year-on-year,"

Also just as I have pointed out - the picture is mixed for Thailands economy - low consumer and manufacturer confidence. Thailand needs a a demoratic popular governement sooner rather than later but the sign are not looking good - current finance minister setting finanacial goals till 2011 - should that not be left to a democratic govt with its own polcies tested in front of the electorate?

"During the first three months, imports of these two items were slow due to low confidence of both consumers and manufacturers. "

[mumbu]

you see how economy is great. instead of buying all those items in Singapore expensive shops, you come to spend your cash in thailand.

but please dont forget Mc donalds as you were very concerned with them yesterday.

and a small tip since you are in the Pharma trade. get your medical drugs as well as they are so cheap in thailand.

have a great hiliday in thailand we are so happy to have you.

Please, also do not forget pirated DVD's. Thet are not of great quality and can be confiscated upon your return to Singapore but they are much cheaper in Thailand

[ThaiGoon]

Ahh, I just keep doing the spoonfeeding:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/220507_Business...y2007_biz47.php

FOREIGN TRADE

2007 export growth may be revised up

PHUSADEE ARUNMAS

In April alone, the import value of capital goods increased 4.9% compared with the same month last year to 2.85 billion baht, and the value of semi-finished goods jumped near 22% to 4.5 billion baht. During the first three months, imports of these two items were slow due to low confidence of both consumers and manufacturers.

Last month's bustling export performance fetched US$10.87 billion, an 18.5% rise year-on-year, which pushed up April's trade surplus to $255 million.

Total imports rose 8.9% year-on-year to $10.61 billion.

............

Sorry that my numbers were a bit off. My memory is not so good.

Yes, and we see this too from dealings with other exporters - business is up on last year. The Nonthaburi export department (where you have to get your cargo documents stamped etc) was packed last week with people waiting to get their forms processed.

Even with the Thai baht this strong, exports are proving very resilient indeed.

Cheers krab.

[Prakanong]

you see how economy is great. instead of buying all those items in Singapore expensive shops, you come to spend your cash in thailand.

but please dont forget Mc donalds as you were very concerned with them yesterday.

and a small tip since you are in the Pharma trade. get your medical drugs as well as they are so cheap in thailand.

have a great hiliday in thailand we are so happy to have you.

Please, also do not forget pirated DVD's. Thet are not of great quality and can be confiscated upon your return to Singapore but they are much cheaper in Thailand

Sorry I do not do pirated DVD's or software in Singapore - 500SGD a disk is a deterrent anyway. I buy all the software I am using anyway if not opensource or freeware.

If I wanted pirate DVD's I can get them on a 1.60 bus ride from me with much better quality

[Steely Dan]

Ahh, I just keep doing the spoonfeeding:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/220507_Business...y2007_biz47.php

FOREIGN TRADE

2007 export growth may be revised up

PHUSADEE ARUNMAS

In April alone, the import value of capital goods increased 4.9% compared with the same month last year to 2.85 billion baht, and the value of semi-finished goods jumped near 22% to 4.5 billion baht. During the first three months, imports of these two items were slow due to low confidence of both consumers and manufacturers.

Last month's bustling export performance fetched US$10.87 billion, an 18.5% rise year-on-year, which pushed up April's trade surplus to $255 million.

Total imports rose 8.9% year-on-year to $10.61 billion.

............

Sorry that my numbers were a bit off. My memory is not so good.

Why do they quote the numbers in $'s not in Baht? There is always an ambiguity otherwise as you don't know what exchange rates the figures were calculated at, that's of course except for Laos where for practical purposes their currency is the $.

[highdiver]

Thailand is not seeking a short term speculative investment. it is seeking long term dedicated investors to add growth.

thailand is offering long term investors very good conditions through the BOI.

Thailand does not want small time investors that can not make it where they come from and are coming to Thailand to compete with the local business.

I am wondering whether you understand what are you talking about. I will give you only two well-known examples.

1. New government regulations regarding foreign companies operating in Thailand: spooked Ford which suspended 1 billion dollars investment in Thailand (US dollars not bahts). Would you call it short term speculative investment? Or may be it is a long term dedicated investment to add growth? Which of the two?

Rubbish.. the new regulations do not apply to Ford they are a BOI approved project . and they are going on with the plan. the only thing thast may stop them is the fact that many amercians will loose jobs to Thais and there is a great commosion abou that in america.

if you follow the stock exchange you will se that other motor companies are allso expanding and growing.

the "new regulations" are not new. they were in palce before for many years but as so many farrangs have decided to abuse this by over riding the law. the goverment made an amendment that makeshte law very clear. if you wish to do buisness in Thailand do it leagaly.

2. Recent government (still to be approved by the King, I believe)act regarding restrictions on big foreign retailors operating in Thailand. So, what is wrong with Carrefour? I enjoyed it in Pattaya and now in Phuket (wish I had one in my home town).

More importantly, Thai people love it! Trade is great! Many good, well-paid jobs for Thai people. What is wrong with that?

New regulation requires approval by local authorities for new outlets for big retailors like Carrefour. Did you say that khun Thaksin was corrupted? Do not you think that this provision open new, lucrative venues for those corrupted local burocrats?

are you serious??? whats wrong with proper town planing? and in Europe and the US any one can come into any town and open up what they want? thailand has every right to impose urban planing laws.

[ThaiGoon]

Thailand is not seeking a short term speculative investment. it is seeking long term dedicated investors to add growth.

thailand is offering long term investors very good conditions through the BOI.

Thailand does not want small time investors that can not make it where they come from and are coming to Thailand to compete with the local business.

I am wondering whether you understand what are you talking about. I will give you only two well-known examples.

1. New government regulations regarding foreign companies operating in Thailand: spooked Ford which suspended 1 billion dollars investment in Thailand (US dollars not bahts). Would you call it short term speculative investment? Or may be it is a long term dedicated investment to add growth? Which of the two?

Rubbish.. the new regulations do not apply to Ford they are a BOI approved project . and they are going on with the plan. the only thing thast may stop them is the fact that many amercians will loose jobs to Thais and there is a great commosion abou that in america.

if you follow the stock exchange you will se that other motor companies are allso expanding and growing.

the "new regulations" are not new. they were in palce before for many years but as so many farrangs have decided to abuse this by over riding the law. the goverment made an amendment that makeshte law very clear. if you wish to do buisness in Thailand do it leagaly.

2. Recent government (still to be approved by the King, I believe)act regarding restrictions on big foreign retailors operating in Thailand. So, what is wrong with Carrefour? I enjoyed it in Pattaya and now in Phuket (wish I had one in my home town).

More importantly, Thai people love it! Trade is great! Many good, well-paid jobs for Thai people. What is wrong with that?

New regulation requires approval by local authorities for new outlets for big retailors like Carrefour. Did you say that khun Thaksin was corrupted? Do not you think that this provision open new, lucrative venues for those corrupted local burocrats?

are you serious??? whats wrong with proper town planing? and in Europe and the US any one can come into any town and open up what they want? thailand has every right to impose urban planing laws.

[thedude]

Finance Minister says the national economy, including figures of import and export, is improving, representing the higher investment in the future.

this gentleman can join the others who believe that because you say something it's true ,

facts , figures ???

The export rose 18.6% last month while the import rose by about 4% or so. I don't have an article with me right now. But you can google it yourself as I can't be arsed to keep spoonfeeding information to people like you.

ThaiGoon, you may have the numbers right but i'm afraid you miss the underlying meaning.

If you look at export growth over the past few years, you will realise that 18.6% is not unusual and falls within a general performance range of about 15% to 25%. Export orders should not vary very drastically over a short term as orders are normally placed in advance and so long as the Baht is not appreciating too far ahead of regional currencies, orders should not stop. Recent currency trends show that the Baht has stabalised somewhat and is now within the middle range of regional currencies. So we should continue to see a relatively stable export performance in the next few months.

What IS worrying however is the potential of LONGER term exports as seen in the low IMPORT growth numbers now. The import figures are not just made up of consumer products (which in itself is a sign of slow consumer spending growth), but importantly what are called Capital Goods, i.e. new plant and machinery which are necessary for expansion of production and generating future export growth. In fact, if you are a long time reader of economic data (like i am), you will know that the capacity utilisation rate has been a matter of grave concern even as far back as 2005 and 2006, because the growth in recent years was driven largely by consumption and fiscal spending, everyone was fretting over how future growth was coming as high inflation and interest rates were curtailing investment spending. Now, with a lower interest regime and even after months of currency appreciation when it should be highly attractive for manufacturers to be importing relatively cheap capital goods, we see import figures continuing to be within a very weak range. Why are producers not investing in new capital equipment now when the Baht is strong and interest rates falling? Where are the investment dollars going?

This is where the real concern is.

Edited May 26, 2007 by thedude

[Edonista]

Where are the investment dollars going?

In places where Dr.Tarisa cannot withhold 30% deposit, that is every other country apart Thailand

Edited May 27, 2007 by Maestro
Quoted text reduced. Unnecessary to quote the entire post.

[mbkudu]

X Misread post.

Edited May 26, 2007 by mbkudu

[mumbu]

Rubbish.. the new regulations do not apply to Ford they are a BOI approved project . and they are going on with the plan.

Your post confirm my suspicion: you do not know what you are talking about. Ford suspended its investment precisely because of the new regulation. Ford definitely a compny with long-term interests in Thailand and has a sofisticated operation over thre involving interaction with other businessess including transportation operations. New regulations threatens to jeopirdise this infra-structure and that is the reason for suspension. I am afraid it is all too subtle for you. Now the idea that a new regulation is just a simple clarification of the previous one is just ridiculuos. Speaking about "great commotions", yes, it resulted in "great commotion" among many businessess operating in Thailand,

including even very big ones as Ford. It was, I believe one of the reasons for Devakula demise. So much for a little clarification of previous rules. Regarding "great commotion" in America on Americans loosing jobs in Thailand, this is absolutely ridiculuos, especially for anyone living in America. It is something like to say that there is a great commotion in

Thailand because many Thais loose their jobs in Iceland.

By the way, I want to clarify one issue. There is a lot of talk about "the clash" between US and Thailand. There is no such a clash. It is something like to say that there is a clash

between a warship and one man canoe. The result of such a clash should be clear for everyone: there would be no wet spot left of canoe. So, there is no such a clash.

What is happening here is a deliberate, zynical and I have to say quite successful effort by the junta and forces behind it to ignite the xenofobic and nationalistic feelings among a certain part of Thai society. In other words, bring the worst into being in a vulnerable part of Thai population. Junta needs to create a certain atmosphere to realize their goals which have nothing to do with the interests of the Thai society as a whole.

Regarding the second issue. I saw an interview on Bloomberg with a current finance minister where he was asked the question about this regulation (regulation on big retail outlets). At that time the first draft of the regulation was not approved by the government. The concern was exactly the one I raised here: the role of local authorities

in decision making regarding the new retail outlets. The response of the finance minister was that this point was the reason of nonapproval of original draft. The finance minister emphasized that in final version, there will be simply fixed regulations added regarding the location of new outlets. He added that he has not seen the new version yet.

To my great surprise the act was approved by the government two days after this interview pretty much in original version. Thus, either finance minister lied or he was not even informed about the situation with the act. In any case, even your finance minister publicly agreed that concerns expressed in my original post are quite legitimate.

Edited May 27, 2007 by Maestro
Quoted text reduced. Unnecessary to quote the entire post.

[ThaiGoon]

Where are the investment dollars going?.

In places where Dr.Tarisa cannot withhold 30% deposit, that is every other country apart Thailand

FDI numbers have significantly increased during the first three months of this year compared to last. I posted the BOI link and numbers a while ago. Again can't be arsed to do it again.

Edited May 27, 2007 by Maestro
Quoted text reduced. Unnecessary to quote the entire post.

[ThaiGoon]

Your post confirm my suspicion: you do not know what you are talking about. Ford suspended its investment precisely because of the new regulation.

Besides claiming you know exactly the reasons why Ford's suspending the investment (even if the US ambassador to Thailand told the press in San Francisco that Ford is still going ahead with the plan), could you elaborate more on how the amended FBA would affect Ford's investment and how "New regulations threatens to jeopirdise this (transportation) infra-structure"?

The main point of the new FBA is to clarify the murky definition of a foreign company (the nominee issue). This would only affect the types of businesses that are listed in the three categories in the current FBA. The BOI endorsed investments (like Ford's) are not under any of those three categories. So how is the amended FBA gonna really affect Ford's decision and the transportation infrastructure? Care to eleborate more?

[ThaiGoon]

From BoI's website:

http://www.boi.go.th/english/download/stat...t/86/INV073.pdf

Foreign investment from major countries during Jan-March of this year has increased in all three categories (Net Applications, Applications approved and Promotion Certificates issued) compared to last year's.

Net Applications: Jan-March 2007=74,107 million Baht, Jan-March 2006=59,492 million Baht

Applications approved: Jan-March 2007=124,506 million Baht, Jan-March 2006=80,251 million Baht

Promotion Certificates issued: Jan-March 2007=113,788 million Baht, Jan-March 2006=84,736 million Baht

Here's what I posted a while ago about FDI.

[bingobongo]

hello defenders of the realm (aka lollipops and rainbows brigade), welcome to your new police state, please report to your nearest police station for processing..............please watch for tanks when crossing all roads, and have your ID cards ready when ordering som tham

this week will be an intersting one.........

Thailand braced for leap into political unknown

The army has soldiers and tanks ready for action as the media count down to what they call "Judgement Day".

http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/i...27?pageNumber=1

[Edonista]

From BoI's website:

http://www.boi.go.th/english/download/stat...t/86/INV073.pdf

Foreign investment from major countries during Jan-March of this year has increased in all three categories (Net Applications, Applications approved and Promotion Certificates issued) compared to last year's.

Net Applications: Jan-March 2007=74,107 million Baht, Jan-March 2006=59,492 million Baht

Applications approved: Jan-March 2007=124,506 million Baht, Jan-March 2006=80,251 million Baht

Promotion Certificates issued: Jan-March 2007=113,788 million Baht, Jan-March 2006=84,736 million Baht

Here's what I posted a while ago about FDI.

Is comparison with 2005 data available ?