International Business Still Wants To Invest In Thailand: Abhisit

[george]

PM Abhisit: International business still wants to invest in Thailand

BANGKOK: -- The international business community still wants to invest in Thailand, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva affirmed on his return Sunday from the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzerland, where the WEF organisers proposed to lead world business leaders to Thailand to explore investment opportunities in June this year.

The prime minister visited Davos, Switzerland for the 39th annual economic summit January 30-February 1 to rebuild confidence among foreign investors in the Thailand's economy.

Speaking by telephone during his weekly address broadcast on Thailand's NBT state television, Mr. Abhisit said that during the meeting he had had the opportunity to meet many world governmental, business, and mass media leaders.

Many business leaders had told him that they are eager to invest in Thailand, Mr. Abhisit said, adding that the sponsors of the Davos forum proposed to invite a delegation of potential investors to explore business opportunities in Thailand before attending a regional forum in South Korea.

Meanwhile, a World Tourism Organisation (WTO) executive had told him that his agency will issue a report detailing how Thailand had resolved its problems, including tourism, which Mr. Abhisit said could be useful in explaining Thailand to the world.

The prime minister also said that at Davos, he had participated as a panelist on a highlight session entitled 'Rebooting the Global Economy' where he stressed that solving economic problems should not end with setting up further trade and investment barriers.

Mr. Absihit was also a panelist on a central session addressing 'Fresh Solutions for Food Security', as well as tourism , which could benefit Thailand's agriculture and tourism sectors.

Prime Minister Abhisit said he had met Philippines President Gloria Arroyo Magapagal and proposed setting up an ASEAN rice reserve to benefit the Southeast Asian region.

If Thailand succeeded in pushing the idea, it would be benefit Thai rice farmers as the rice price is expected to rise.

-- TNA 2009-02-01

[KamalaLove]

World Tourism Organisation (WTO)

? WTO = World Trade Organisation

Just more half cocked propaganda.

[cmsally]

The only article I could find about Thailand and Davos was this, (admitting Thailand technically in recession. Nice that he could attribute the slump in tourism directly to world economics. Maybe something slipped his mind.

Davos

[ballpoint]

World Tourism Organisation (WTO)

? WTO = World Trade Organisation

Just more half cocked propaganda.

Why so negative, Mr Know It All?

The World Tourism Organisation is a UN grouping, commonly abbrieviated to WTO or UNWTO

http://www.unwto.org/index.php

[hansnl]

PM Abhisit: International business still wants to invest in Thailand

BANGKOK: -- The international business community still wants to invest in Thailand, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva affirmed on his return Sunday from the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzerland, where the WEF organisers proposed to lead world business leaders to Thailand to explore investment opportunities in June this year.

The prime minister visited Davos, Switzerland for the 39th annual economic summit January 30-February 1 to rebuild confidence among foreign investors in the Thailand's economy.

Speaking by telephone during his weekly address broadcast on Thailand's NBT state television, Mr. Abhisit said that during the meeting he had had the opportunity to meet many world governmental, business, and mass media leaders.

Many business leaders had told him that they are eager to invest in Thailand, Mr. Abhisit said, adding that the sponsors of the Davos forum proposed to invite a delegation of potential investors to explore business opportunities in Thailand before attending a regional forum in South Korea.

Meanwhile, a World Tourism Organisation (WTO) executive had told him that his agency will issue a report detailing how Thailand had resolved its problems, including tourism, which Mr. Abhisit said could be useful in explaining Thailand to the world.

The prime minister also said that at Davos, he had participated as a panelist on a highlight session entitled 'Rebooting the Global Economy' where he stressed that solving economic problems should not end with setting up further trade and investment barriers.

Mr. Absihit was also a panelist on a central session addressing 'Fresh Solutions for Food Security', as well as tourism , which could benefit Thailand's agriculture and tourism sectors.

Prime Minister Abhisit said he had met Philippines President Gloria Arroyo Magapagal and proposed setting up an ASEAN rice reserve to benefit the Southeast Asian region.

If Thailand succeeded in pushing the idea, it would be benefit Thai rice farmers as the rice price is expected to rise.

-- TNA 2009-02-01

Besides being highly amused about the WTO, being a Dutchman, I decided to check the Telegraaf archives about articles about Thailand printed in the paper and on the website.

I made the period quite long, one year.

The results do not make me happy.

Definitely, if I was a tourist planning a holiday abroad, an investor, a businessman, or whatever, I would not even think about taking the trouble to think about Thailand.

Thailand had more self-generated bad publicity as any banana republic in South America, or wherever in the world.

It makes one very sad to see that the Governments of Thailand does not seem to give a hoot.

Poor people.

Edited February 1, 2009 by hansnl

[KamalaLove]

World Tourism Organisation (WTO)

? WTO = World Trade Organisation

Just more half cocked propaganda.

Why so negative, Mr Know It All?

The World Tourism Organisation is a UN grouping, commonly abbrieviated to WTO or UNWTO

http://www.unwto.org/index.php

I stand corrected.

Just more half cocked propaganda.

[ray08]

PM Abhisit: International business still wants to invest in Thailand

BANGKOK: -- The international business community still wants to invest in Thailand, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva affirmed on his return Sunday from the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzerland, where the WEF organisers proposed to lead world business leaders to Thailand to explore investment opportunities in June this year

The prime minister also said that at Davos, he had participated as a panelist on a highlight session entitled 'Rebooting the Global Economy' where he stressed that solving economic problems should not end with setting up further trade and investment barriers.

-- TNA 2009-02-01

In regards to Trade barriers ,surely the pot calling the kettle black,Thailand have very high duties on most imported items , and high restrictions on foreign companies investing in Thailand ,maybe by allowing 100% foreign shareholding in most Thai Companies ,would be a good start.

I think some nations will impose some protectionist policies ,but China ,India ,Thailand etc already have such policies,

[Koo82]

Yes, they still want to invest in Thailand in year 2015.

Now they still don't know now if they can survive or not.

[dinthailand]

PM Abhisit: International business still wants to invest in Thailand

BANGKOK: -- The international business community still wants to invest in Thailand, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva affirmed on his return Sunday from the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzerland, where the WEF organisers proposed to lead world business leaders to Thailand to explore investment opportunities in June this year.

The prime minister visited Davos, Switzerland for the 39th annual economic summit January 30-February 1 to rebuild confidence among foreign investors in the Thailand's economy.

Speaking by telephone during his weekly address broadcast on Thailand's NBT state television, Mr. Abhisit said that during the meeting he had had the opportunity to meet many world governmental, business, and mass media leaders.

Many business leaders had told him that they are eager to invest in Thailand, Mr. Abhisit said, adding that the sponsors of the Davos forum proposed to invite a delegation of potential investors to explore business opportunities in Thailand before attending a regional forum in South Korea.

Meanwhile, a World Tourism Organisation (WTO) executive had told him that his agency will issue a report detailing how Thailand had resolved its problems, including tourism, which Mr. Abhisit said could be useful in explaining Thailand to the world.

The prime minister also said that at Davos, he had participated as a panelist on a highlight session entitled 'Rebooting the Global Economy' where he stressed that solving economic problems should not end with setting up further trade and investment barriers.

Mr. Absihit was also a panelist on a central session addressing 'Fresh Solutions for Food Security', as well as tourism , which could benefit Thailand's agriculture and tourism sectors.

Prime Minister Abhisit said he had met Philippines President Gloria Arroyo Magapagal and proposed setting up an ASEAN rice reserve to benefit the Southeast Asian region.

If Thailand succeeded in pushing the idea, it would be benefit Thai rice farmers as the rice price is expected to rise.

-- TNA 2009-02-01

Besides being highly amused about the WTO, being a Dutchman, I decided to check the Telegraaf archives about articles about Thailand printed in the paper and on the website.

I made the period quite long, one year.

The results do not make me happy.

Definitely, if I was a tourist planning a holiday abroad, an investor, a businessman, or whatever, I would not even think about taking the trouble to think about Thailand.

Thailand had more self-generated bad publicity as any banana republic in South America, or wherever in the world.

It makes one very sad to see that the Governments of Thailand does not seem to give a hoot.

Poor people.

The elite do not need to care. Economic changes will not adversely affect them. But I agree about the poor people though farang can not get involved

[geriatrickid]

Giving hope when there is little good news on the horizon is part of the PM's job, so what else can he say? He can't very well say that Thailand's protectionist trade policies discourage foreign investment, and that Thailand's over valued baht is undercutting exports. Anyone keeping current with the current situation is going to understand that industrial demand is way down, and barriers are way up.

Does the PM think that foreign investors are that easily fooled? Does he think they have bad memories? 2 years ago, the PM's buddies threatened massive restrictions. (sorry kids, you can't blame Thaksin on that one. It was the military junta that came out with the plan.) Need a reminder? http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/01/09/business/baht.php

"Thailand has shot itself in the foot," said Ping Chew, a regional analyst at Standard & Poor's, the credit rating agency, in Singapore. "I know there are domestic pressures but they have to be sensible and rational about it."

It seems the business community has a different take on matters. As recently as 2 days ago this article appeared; http://www.mysinchew.com/node/20621

Thailand: GM Rethinks Plant BANGKOK, THAILAND: General Motors Thailand Thursday (29 Jan) sought the industry ministry's help in setting up a 3-billion-baht (US$86 million) financial facility for its diesel-engine plant in Rayong to keep the project alive. GM Thailand earlier said it would suspend the 15-billion-baht plant plan due to the global economic crisis, which has led to severe financial losses at its US-based parent. The news came amid fears that foreign investment flows to Thailand could dry up. However, the Board of Investment Thursday expressed optimism for the investment outlook this year, saying net investment applications this month alone were up 181 per cent on year to 90 billion baht ($2.5 billion). The positive spin came despite the fact that the number of applications for incentives dropped in half to 50 and the investment comes mainly from two power plant projects requiring 40 billion baht ($1.1 billion) each. (By CHALIDA EKVITTHAYAVECHNUKUL/ The Nation/ ANN)

The PM intends to boost foreign investment by doing a road show to encourage automotive investment. Hello? Reality calling. The auto market is depressed and has over capacity. Auto companies do not have the capital to build new plants let alone invest in foreign facilities. D-OH

Seriously now. What's this guy thinking?

[ray08]

Giving hope when there is little good news on the horizon is part of the PM's job, so what else can he say? He can't very well say that Thailand's protectionist trade policies discourage foreign investment, and that Thailand's over valued baht is undercutting exports. Anyone keeping current with the current situation is going to understand that industrial demand is way down, and barriers are way up.

Does the PM think that foreign investors are that easily fooled? Does he think they have bad memories? 2 years ago, the PM's buddies threatened massive restrictions. (sorry kids, you can't blame Thaksin on that one. It was the military junta that came out with the plan.) Need a reminder? http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/01/09/business/baht.php

"Thailand has shot itself in the foot," said Ping Chew, a regional analyst at Standard & Poor's, the credit rating agency, in Singapore. "I know there are domestic pressures but they have to be sensible and rational about it."

It seems the business community has a different take on matters. As recently as 2 days ago this article appeared; http://www.mysinchew.com/node/20621

Thailand: GM Rethinks Plant BANGKOK, THAILAND: General Motors Thailand Thursday (29 Jan) sought the industry ministry's help in setting up a 3-billion-baht (US$86 million) financial facility for its diesel-engine plant in Rayong to keep the project alive. GM Thailand earlier said it would suspend the 15-billion-baht plant plan due to the global economic crisis, which has led to severe financial losses at its US-based parent. The news came amid fears that foreign investment flows to Thailand could dry up. However, the Board of Investment Thursday expressed optimism for the investment outlook this year, saying net investment applications this month alone were up 181 per cent on year to 90 billion baht ($2.5 billion). The positive spin came despite the fact that the number of applications for incentives dropped in half to 50 and the investment comes mainly from two power plant projects requiring 40 billion baht ($1.1 billion) each. (By CHALIDA EKVITTHAYAVECHNUKUL/ The Nation/ ANN)

The PM intends to boost foreign investment by doing a road show to encourage automotive investment. Hello? Reality calling. The auto market is depressed and has over capacity. Auto companies do not have the capital to build new plants let alone invest in foreign facilities. D-OH

Seriously now. What's this guy thinking?

All good points , the BOI figures ?? I never read much into them, Yes the foreign community has good memories and the events of 2 years by the CURRENT GOVERNMENT still are very fresh , and in regards to the car industry ,everyone is cutting back , not investing ,

Off topic , but things like the latest boat people problem, and them the economic situation , i have a feeling , that this PM is out of his depth in running a county,

[dinthailand]

Giving hope when there is little good news on the horizon is part of the PM's job, so what else can he say? He can't very well say that Thailand's protectionist trade policies discourage foreign investment, and that Thailand's over valued baht is undercutting exports. Anyone keeping current with the current situation is going to understand that industrial demand is way down, and barriers are way up.

Does the PM think that foreign investors are that easily fooled? Does he think they have bad memories? 2 years ago, the PM's buddies threatened massive restrictions. (sorry kids, you can't blame Thaksin on that one. It was the military junta that came out with the plan.) Need a reminder? http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/01/09/business/baht.php

"Thailand has shot itself in the foot," said Ping Chew, a regional analyst at Standard & Poor's, the credit rating agency, in Singapore. "I know there are domestic pressures but they have to be sensible and rational about it."

It seems the business community has a different take on matters. As recently as 2 days ago this article appeared; http://www.mysinchew.com/node/20621 Thailand: GM Rethinks Plant BANGKOK, THAILAND: General Motors Thailand Thursday (29 Jan) sought the industry ministry's help in setting up a 3-billion-baht (US$86 million) financial facility for its diesel-engine plant in Rayong to keep the project alive. GM Thailand earlier said it would suspend the 15-billion-baht plant plan due to the global economic crisis, which has led to severe financial losses at its US-based parent. The news came amid fears that foreign investment flows to Thailand could dry up. However, the Board of Investment Thursday expressed optimism for the investment outlook this year, saying net investment applications this month alone were up 181 per cent on year to 90 billion baht ($2.5 billion). The positive spin came despite the fact that the number of applications for incentives dropped in half to 50 and the investment comes mainly from two power plant projects requiring 40 billion baht ($1.1 billion) each. (By CHALIDA EKVITTHAYAVECHNUKUL/ The Nation/ ANN)

The PM intends to boost foreign investment by doing a road show to encourage automotive investment. Hello? Reality calling. The auto market is depressed and has over capacity. Auto companies do not have the capital to build new plants let alone invest in foreign facilities. D-OH

Seriously now. What's this guy thinking?

All good points , the BOI figures ?? I never read much into them, Yes the foreign community has good memories and the events of 2 years by the CURRENT GOVERNMENT still are very fresh , and in regards to the car industry ,everyone is cutting back , not investing ,

Off topic , but things like the latest boat people problem, and them the economic situation , i have a feeling , that this PM is out of his depth in running a county,

Yes he is out of his depth, but what else can he do he has to put a positive spin on things. Gordon Brown is doing the same. Neither the average Thai nor farang believes what the Thai PM is saying. Thailand will continue going nowhere until someone or some party gets a grip on reality and makes some hard but necessary decisions.

what's getting in the way?? mae phen rai and thais not wanting to lose face, in my view.

[henryalleman]

The only article I could find about Thailand and Davos was this, (admitting Thailand technically in recession. Nice that he could attribute the slump in tourism directly to world economics. Maybe something slipped his mind.

Davos

The EU expect a negative growth of 1.9%in 2009 and more and more analysts don't expect that the economy will pick up in 2009 they estimate it take till the 3Q of 2010 before some signs of improvement will be shown.

If Obama will pursuit his idea of buying American we can expect a trade war with the EU and China on one side and the US on the other side. This also will have its effects on the Thai economy.

I think that the Thai government is far to optimistic about the effects of the worldwide recession on the Thai economy.

[henryalleman]

Giving hope when there is little good news on the horizon is part of the PM's job, so what else can he say? He can't very well say that Thailand's protectionist trade policies discourage foreign investment, and that Thailand's over valued baht is undercutting exports. Anyone keeping current with the current situation is going to understand that industrial demand is way down, and barriers are way up.

Does the PM think that foreign investors are that easily fooled? Does he think they have bad memories? 2 years ago, the PM's buddies threatened massive restrictions. (sorry kids, you can't blame Thaksin on that one. It was the military junta that came out with the plan.) Need a reminder? http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/01/09/business/baht.php

"Thailand has shot itself in the foot," said Ping Chew, a regional analyst at Standard & Poor's, the credit rating agency, in Singapore. "I know there are domestic pressures but they have to be sensible and rational about it."

It seems the business community has a different take on matters. As recently as 2 days ago this article appeared; http://www.mysinchew.com/node/20621 Thailand: GM Rethinks Plant BANGKOK, THAILAND: General Motors Thailand Thursday (29 Jan) sought the industry ministry's help in setting up a 3-billion-baht (US$86 million) financial facility for its diesel-engine plant in Rayong to keep the project alive. GM Thailand earlier said it would suspend the 15-billion-baht plant plan due to the global economic crisis, which has led to severe financial losses at its US-based parent. The news came amid fears that foreign investment flows to Thailand could dry up. However, the Board of Investment Thursday expressed optimism for the investment outlook this year, saying net investment applications this month alone were up 181 per cent on year to 90 billion baht ($2.5 billion). The positive spin came despite the fact that the number of applications for incentives dropped in half to 50 and the investment comes mainly from two power plant projects requiring 40 billion baht ($1.1 billion) each. (By CHALIDA EKVITTHAYAVECHNUKUL/ The Nation/ ANN)

The PM intends to boost foreign investment by doing a road show to encourage automotive investment. Hello? Reality calling. The auto market is depressed and has over capacity. Auto companies do not have the capital to build new plants let alone invest in foreign facilities. D-OH

Seriously now. What's this guy thinking?

Making a road show by the PM to promote the automotive industry is indeed a joke. Several EU governments are offering the automotive top EURO for rescue plans. because they are all afraid that the financial problems of the US automotive industry will have severe effects on the EU plants certainly when they for political reason will pull back their off shore investments.

[h90]

The only article I could find about Thailand and Davos was this, (admitting Thailand technically in recession. Nice that he could attribute the slump in tourism directly to world economics. Maybe something slipped his mind.

Davos

The EU expect a negative growth of 1.9%in 2009 and more and more analysts don't expect that the economy will pick up in 2009 they estimate it take till the 3Q of 2010 before some signs of improvement will be shown.

If Obama will pursuit his idea of buying American we can expect a trade war with the EU and China on one side and the US on the other side. This also will have its effects on the Thai economy.

I think that the Thai government is far to optimistic about the effects of the worldwide recession on the Thai economy.

Well, Thailand if we get a full recession (in Europe the governments/people still ignore that) and the tourists don't come and countries start to protect their markets Thailand will be hit very hard. The only positive thing is that Thailand does not need food imports and heating so we don't die in Thailand. Being poor might be more comfortable in Thailand than in the Swedish winter.

[Old Man River]

PM Abhisit: International business still wants to invest in Thailand

BANGKOK: -- The international business community still wants to invest in Thailand, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva affirmed on his return Sunday from the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzerland, where the WEF organisers proposed to lead world business leaders to Thailand to explore investment opportunities in June this year.

The prime minister visited Davos, Switzerland for the 39th annual economic summit January 30-February 1 to rebuild confidence among foreign investors in the Thailand's economy.

Speaking by telephone during his weekly address broadcast on Thailand's NBT state television, Mr. Abhisit said that during the meeting he had had the opportunity to meet many world governmental, business, and mass media leaders.

Many business leaders had told him that they are eager to invest in Thailand, Mr. Abhisit said, adding that the sponsors of the Davos forum proposed to invite a delegation of potential investors to explore business opportunities in Thailand before attending a regional forum in South Korea.

Meanwhile, a World Tourism Organisation (WTO) executive had told him that his agency will issue a report detailing how Thailand had resolved its problems, including tourism, which Mr. Abhisit said could be useful in explaining Thailand to the world.

The prime minister also said that at Davos, he had participated as a panelist on a highlight session entitled 'Rebooting the Global Economy' where he stressed that solving economic problems should not end with setting up further trade and investment barriers.

Mr. Absihit was also a panelist on a central session addressing 'Fresh Solutions for Food Security', as well as tourism , which could benefit Thailand's agriculture and tourism sectors.

Prime Minister Abhisit said he had met Philippines President Gloria Arroyo Magapagal and proposed setting up an ASEAN rice reserve to benefit the Southeast Asian region.

If Thailand succeeded in pushing the idea, it would be benefit Thai rice farmers as the rice price is expected to rise.

-- TNA 2009-02-01

Besides being highly amused about the WTO, being a Dutchman, I decided to check the Telegraaf archives about articles about Thailand printed in the paper and on the website.

I made the period quite long, one year.

The results do not make me happy.

Definitely, if I was a tourist planning a holiday abroad, an investor, a businessman, or whatever, I would not even think about taking the trouble to think about Thailand.

Thailand had more self-generated bad publicity as any banana republic in South America, or wherever in the world.

It makes one very sad to see that the Governments of Thailand does not seem to give a hoot.

Poor people.

The elite do not need to care. Economic changes will not adversely affect them. But I agree about the poor people though farang can not get involved

Everyone will be affected, from all walks of life regardless of socioeconomic status.

[dinthailand]

PM Abhisit: International business still wants to invest in Thailand

BANGKOK: -- The international business community still wants to invest in Thailand, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva affirmed on his return Sunday from the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzerland, where the WEF organisers proposed to lead world business leaders to Thailand to explore investment opportunities in June this year.

The prime minister visited Davos, Switzerland for the 39th annual economic summit January 30-February 1 to rebuild confidence among foreign investors in the Thailand's economy.

Speaking by telephone during his weekly address broadcast on Thailand's NBT state television, Mr. Abhisit said that during the meeting he had had the opportunity to meet many world governmental, business, and mass media leaders.

Many business leaders had told him that they are eager to invest in Thailand, Mr. Abhisit said, adding that the sponsors of the Davos forum proposed to invite a delegation of potential investors to explore business opportunities in Thailand before attending a regional forum in South Korea.

Meanwhile, a World Tourism Organisation (WTO) executive had told him that his agency will issue a report detailing how Thailand had resolved its problems, including tourism, which Mr. Abhisit said could be useful in explaining Thailand to the world.

The prime minister also said that at Davos, he had participated as a panelist on a highlight session entitled 'Rebooting the Global Economy' where he stressed that solving economic problems should not end with setting up further trade and investment barriers.

Mr. Absihit was also a panelist on a central session addressing 'Fresh Solutions for Food Security', as well as tourism , which could benefit Thailand's agriculture and tourism sectors.

Prime Minister Abhisit said he had met Philippines President Gloria Arroyo Magapagal and proposed setting up an ASEAN rice reserve to benefit the Southeast Asian region.

If Thailand succeeded in pushing the idea, it would be benefit Thai rice farmers as the rice price is expected to rise.

-- TNA 2009-02-01

Besides being highly amused about the WTO, being a Dutchman, I decided to check the Telegraaf archives about articles about Thailand printed in the paper and on the website.

I made the period quite long, one year.

The results do not make me happy.

Definitely, if I was a tourist planning a holiday abroad, an investor, a businessman, or whatever, I would not even think about taking the trouble to think about Thailand.

Thailand had more self-generated bad publicity as any banana republic in South America, or wherever in the world.

It makes one very sad to see that the Governments of Thailand does not seem to give a hoot.

Poor people.

The elite do not need to care. Economic changes will not adversely affect them. But I agree about the poor people though farang can not get involved

Everyone will be affected, from all walks of life regardless of socioeconomic status.

You are joking of course. I am talking of the elite. It WILL not worry them one iota. Think of their wealth and power.

[dinthailand]

PM Abhisit: International business still wants to invest in Thailand

BANGKOK: -- The international business community still wants to invest in Thailand, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva affirmed on his return Sunday from the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzerland, where the WEF organisers proposed to lead world business leaders to Thailand to explore investment opportunities in June this year.

The prime minister visited Davos, Switzerland for the 39th annual economic summit January 30-February 1 to rebuild confidence among foreign investors in the Thailand's economy.

Speaking by telephone during his weekly address broadcast on Thailand's NBT state television, Mr. Abhisit said that during the meeting he had had the opportunity to meet many world governmental, business, and mass media leaders.

Many business leaders had told him that they are eager to invest in Thailand, Mr. Abhisit said, adding that the sponsors of the Davos forum proposed to invite a delegation of potential investors to explore business opportunities in Thailand before attending a regional forum in South Korea.

Meanwhile, a World Tourism Organisation (WTO) executive had told him that his agency will issue a report detailing how Thailand had resolved its problems, including tourism, which Mr. Abhisit said could be useful in explaining Thailand to the world.

The prime minister also said that at Davos, he had participated as a panelist on a highlight session entitled 'Rebooting the Global Economy' where he stressed that solving economic problems should not end with setting up further trade and investment barriers.

Mr. Absihit was also a panelist on a central session addressing 'Fresh Solutions for Food Security', as well as tourism , which could benefit Thailand's agriculture and tourism sectors.

Prime Minister Abhisit said he had met Philippines President Gloria Arroyo Magapagal and proposed setting up an ASEAN rice reserve to benefit the Southeast Asian region.

If Thailand succeeded in pushing the idea, it would be benefit Thai rice farmers as the rice price is expected to rise.

-- TNA 2009-02-01

Besides being highly amused about the WTO, being a Dutchman, I decided to check the Telegraaf archives about articles about Thailand printed in the paper and on the website.

I made the period quite long, one year.

The results do not make me happy.

Definitely, if I was a tourist planning a holiday abroad, an investor, a businessman, or whatever, I would not even think about taking the trouble to think about Thailand.

Thailand had more self-generated bad publicity as any banana republic in South America, or wherever in the world.

It makes one very sad to see that the Governments of Thailand does not seem to give a hoot.

Poor people.

The elite do not need to care. Economic changes will not adversely affect them. But I agree about the poor people though farang can not get involved

Everyone will be affected, from all walks of life regardless of socioeconomic status.

The rich do not and will not need to change their spending patterns, though they will gain from lower prices. What other country could afford to close down airports for a whole week.

[henryalleman]

The only article I could find about Thailand and Davos was this, (admitting Thailand technically in recession. Nice that he could attribute the slump in tourism directly to world economics. Maybe something slipped his mind.

Davos

The EU expect a negative growth of 1.9%in 2009 and more and more analysts don't expect that the economy will pick up in 2009 they estimate it take till the 3Q of 2010 before some signs of improvement will be shown.

If Obama will pursuit his idea of buying American we can expect a trade war with the EU and China on one side and the US on the other side. This also will have its effects on the Thai economy.

I think that the Thai government is far to optimistic about the effects of the worldwide recession on the Thai economy.

Well, Thailand if we get a full recession (in Europe the governments/people still ignore that) and the tourists don't come and countries start to protect their markets Thailand will be hit very hard. The only positive thing is that Thailand does not need food imports and heating so we don't die in Thailand. Being poor might be more comfortable in Thailand than in the Swedish winter.

I can guarantee you that in Europe the governments/people are very well aware that a resession is going on, and its not ignored at all.