Tightrope walk for Thai government as Ukraine invasion brings new challenges

[webfact]

Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha attends a news conference with his Malaysian counterpart Ismail Sabri Yaakob at the Government House in Bangkok on February 25, 2022. (Photo by Jack TAYLOR / AFP)

 

The reverberations from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are being felt around the globe. The war itself has severely disrupted the production and export of oil, gas, fertilizers, as well as some food products from the two countries.

 

Thailand depends heavily on imported oil and gas, but the outlook seems bleak as the price of crude oil has soared to over $100 dollar a barrel for several days with the potential to rise further as Russia continues to bombard its neighboring country. Moscow’s actions have been met with harsh economic sanctions by the West and its allies.

 

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Tough decision on excise tax cut

 

Many Thai manufacturers have warned that at best they could delay increasing the prices of their products by 1-3 months, as they are burdened by higher costs of production due to the soaring energy prices.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/tightrope-walk-for-thai-government-as-ukraine-invasion-brings-new-challenges/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-03-10

 

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[Cake Monster]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Many Thai manufacturers have warned that at best they could delay increasing the prices of their products by 1-3 months, as they are burdened by higher costs of production due to the soaring energy prices.

 

One one Sector that is really going to get hurt, is the Export Market.

And possibly the biggest proportion of that market is for Vehicles, that need the Raw Commodities from Russia and Ukraine to be used in the Manufacture process.

Raw Commodities such as Palladium, used in Catalytic Converters Aluminium, Nickel, Copper and so on.

Exports have been the main Pillar of the Thai economy for a couple of Years now, but are due to take a fall for sure.

[hotchilli]

Just when you thought covid was over and happiness was returning to the nation.

[pixelaoffy]

3 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Just when you thought covid was over and happiness was returning to the nation.

Except it (happiness) wasn't, (returning)

[Isaan sailor]

Be nice to your expats.  They pump millions of Baht into their neighborhoods every year.  And we travel extensively throughout Thailand, often spending like drunken sailors.  By the way, we’re not from Russia, China, India or Iran.

[spidermike007]

Thailand seems afraid of Putin and unwilling to speak out against him, much like Israel.

 

One may ask why has Putin chosen this moment to make his move on Ukraine? As many have pointed out, Russia is an objectively weak state — “Upper Volta with nuclear weapons,” as someone once quipped — with a nominal G.D.P. smaller than that of South Korea. Outside of energy, minerals and second-rate military equipment, it produces almost nothing that outsiders want: no Russian iPhone, Lexus or “Fauda.” If it were not for the minerals, oil and natural gas, I believe Russia would be a highly irrelevant state. Sure, it had alot of culture. Had. What have it's contributions been since the middle of the 20th century?

 

Putin’s problem with Ukraine, starting with the Maidan uprising of 2014, is that Ukrainians want nothing to do with him. He is despised. And for good reason. If he were a Disney character, he’d be Rapunzel’s mother. But, he is not a Disney character, which makes him a pathetic, aggressive, serial killing despot dictator, who appears to be targeting women and children in his latest escapade, and further walk into the world of darkness. 

[Olav Seglem]

Its not easy for thai to deside:

Is it ok to invade another country-or maybe not??

[RubbaJohnny]

Having tried even "Slackrope" walking , barely 2 feet off friend's garden I can assure it is no mean feat.

 

Tightrope walking aka Funabalaisme as personified by the great Blondin and others requires some qualities notably absent. He crossed Niagara Falls many times, with a lion on his  back,sat on a chair and read a paper mid stream etc

 

1 Handling a Pole , a few ladies have mastered this

Other qualities may need a rub a dub down the hub

2 Equal balance between left and right

3 Steady footwork

4 Limited wobble

5 Ability to act calmly

6 Don't look down on the public

7 Oh and no safety net, Elephant tickets or golden parachutes