Experts play down expectations of rapid economic gains from Thai-Saudi diplomatic ties

[webfact]

 

By Thai PBS World’s Business Desk

 

The Thai government has claimed that the restoration of diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia after 30 years will bring great benefits to the economy.  Several sectors, such as tourism, labour, energy and medical services, are likely to be the big gainers. Observers, however, are cautious about jumping on this bandwagon of optimism.

 

Three decades ago when the two countries had normal relations, an estimated 300,000 Thai workers were employed in Saudi Arabia and their remittances amounted to more than Bt9 billion annually.

 

The Prayut Chan-o-cha government believes Thailand could once again export labour to Saudi Arabia, which would not only help tackle unemployment but also boost foreign exchange reserves. The PM, who made a historic trip to Riyadh on January 25-26 at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has told officials to immediately explore job opportunities for Thais.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/experts-play-down-expectations-of-rapid-economic-gains-from-thai-saudi-diplomatic-ties/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-31

 

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[asiasurfer]

Why not explore job opportunities for Thais in Thailand?? 

[RichardColeman]

5 minutes ago, asiasurfer said:

Why not explore job opportunities for Thais in Thailand?? 

What opportunities - they are currently delaying the jobs of about 8 million by ridiculous tourism entry restrictions.

 

Fully expect the government after opening to be all bells and whistles about creating 8 million new jobs !

[Dcheech]

Walk it back.

Returning blue and green stones was never going to be easy. It had to be done in person with suitable apologies made by a head of state. Normalization of relations the real outcome. No matter what cover story the Thai press trumpeted. After a week, walk it back, locals and westerners will be none the wiser, a historic event has just taken place. Nothing to do with hiring Thai workers for the sandbox. 

 

Edited January 31, 2022 by Dcheech

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The Prayut Chan-o-cha government believes Thailand could once again export labour to Saudi Arabia, which would not only help tackle unemployment but also boost foreign exchange reserves.

Tourism is screwed and Prayut has nothing to offer the unemployed... except sell labour to another country..

Ship-em-out and problem solved.

 

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, asiasurfer said:

Why not explore job opportunities for Thais in Thailand?? 

He doesn't know how to create Thai jobs/industry.

He waits for other countries to build infrastructure and companies that employ local labour.

The man is useless as a PM

[Orinoco]

Just make sure Light fingered Somchai does not get a work permit for Saudi Arabia.  

 

 

Edited January 31, 2022 by Orinoco

[jacko45k]

1 minute ago, Orinoco said:

Just make sure Light fingered Somchai does not get a work permit for Saudi Arabia.  

 

 

Thailand may have a change of heart if some poor citizen is subjected to Saudi justice at the public square on a Friday morning. 

[Tony M]

Might need to rethink the shisha laws then.

 

[Misterwhisper]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Observers, however, are cautious about jumping on this bandwagon of optimism.

Well... the speed at which economic gains materialize could perhaps depend on how many "janitors" the Thais will be able to slip into Saudi palaces.

 

Sorry, but I just couldn't resist.

Edited January 31, 2022 by Misterwhisper

[pokerface1]

The pic shows social distance taken to the max. 
They would to be shouting at each other just to be heard or maybe the Arab has positioned himself there by intention. It certainly speaks volumes about how wide the gap is between the 2 nations. 

[bradiston]

1 hour ago, Tony M said:

Might need to rethink the shisha laws then.

 

And Halal menus. Pork is eaten everywhere here. A quick rinse of the wok ain't gonna cut it. Except for isolated pockets, and down south, virtually non Muslim, non Arabic speaking. The Saudis are just not interested. 30,000 visitors pa? That says everything.

[mjakob007]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

The Thai government has claimed that the restoration of diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia after 30 years will bring great benefits to the economy

to this end, a new sandbox was proposed in Boyztown..