Srettha’s enthusiastic outreach yet to bear fruit for Thailand’s economy

[snoop1130]

 

In over six months in office, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has earned kudos for his efforts to win back the confidence of international investors, but there’s little else to show for all the travels and meetings.

 

The country’s image was undoubtedly damaged by the 2014 military coup and a military-backed government, and the PM has been working hard to rebuild confidence and credibility.

 

Srettha has been proactive in reaching out to many world leaders – politicians and investors – to secure investments in Thailand.

 

Caption: Photo : PM’s FB

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2024-03-12

 

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[bamnutsak]

11 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

The country’s image was undoubtedly damaged by the 2014 military coup and a military-backed government, and the PM has been working hard to rebuild confidence and credibility.

 

So today's decision to have the CC consider MFP's dissolution couldn't have come at a worse time for him.

 

And problems with his aircraft, so he had to fly commercial.

 

 

Edited March 12 by bamnutsak

[spidermike007]

Perhaps many nations are cautious about investing billions in a non democracy? One that consistently steals elections? And one that moves backwards? One with out of control corruption, and leaders appointed based on fealty to the army, over merit or skill. 

[hotchilli]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

In over six months in office, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has earned kudos for his efforts to win back the confidence of international investors, but there’s little else to show for all the travels and meetings.

Sretthas world tour looking for sponsors to bail out Thailand,

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

Perhaps many nations are cautious about investing billions in a non democracy? One that consistently steals elections? And one that moves backwards? One with out of control corruption, and leaders appointed based on fealty to the army, over merit or skill. 

Thailand is going slowly the same way as Myanmar... once it looked like a good prospect, after last years stolen election large investors are very cautious.

[nobodysfriend]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

 but there’s little else to show for all the travels and meetings.

 

But meanwhile Khun Srettha has seen the world , travelled in private Jets , stayed at 5 star hotels only , had been invited to free luxury dinners , had a good time at the expense of the taxpayer ... good job .

[Thingamabob]

Notwithstanding the 2014 coup, the manner in which Srettha came into office was hardly democratic.

[Karma80]

What do you mean people don't want to invest in a corrupt den of thievery that could turn on a dime? I am shocked.

[spidermike007]

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Thailand is going slowly the same way as Myanmar... once it looked like a good prospect, after last years stolen election large investors are very cautious.

Last years? How about the prior 9 years? This is 10 consecutive years of extremely harmful, toxic and regressive army leadership (do not even try to tell me this is a civilian administration). Of course companies are leery of investing here. And that will not change. Thailand is moving backwards at a very swift pace.

 

Granted, that does not affect us much. If anything it keeps things cheaper for us. But, woe are the Thai people.

[hotchilli]

21 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

But, woe are the Thai people.

Apart from a handful of students who try to stand up against tyranny the average Thai gets what they deserve...

after the 10 year military occupation and last years stolen election what did they do... sweet F-all.

Too lethargic to scratch an itch.

If  everyone of those MFP voters took to the streets of BKK things might have been different.

But change won't happen until people change.

Edited March 13 by hotchilli

[Srikcir]

5 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Perhaps many nations are cautious about investing billions in a non democracy? One that consistently steals elections? And one that moves backwards? One with out of control corruption, and leaders appointed based on fealty to the army, over merit or skill. 

Coincidentally, after 2013 (before the 2014 Thailand military coup) the annual net inflows of Foreign Direct Investments into Thailand have never reached the 2013 level. In fact in 2020 it was negative (maybe a covid side-effect?).

https://tradingeconomics.com/thailand/foreign-direct-investment-net-inflows-percent-of-gdp-wb-data.html

 

Needless to guess who was the largest contributor of FDI's to Thailand - China contributing 24 percent of FDI by value 2023 and likely higher 2024.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202401/1304727.shtml

 

Srettha's outreach has been for more FTA's which is vital for increasing Thailand's exports and GDP growth which can immediately boost quarterly percentages when trade occurs. That I applaud.

However, I haven't seen him tie FTA's to Outflow FDI's from Thailand that can aid/incentivize foreign exporters setting up their exports to Thailand - there's a cost. It seems for Thailand it's like a "You give and I take" relationship. Such attitude will limit new significant FTA's.