PM Abhisit Invites World’s Leading Carmakers To Invest In Thailand: Davos

[webfact]

PM invites world’s leading carmakers to invest in Thailand

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 30 – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Friday met top executives of the world’s leading carmakers and invited them to invest in Thailand, saying the country has a quality workforce in the industry and that the business environment is favourable for investment.

The Thai premier arrived here to attend the 41st World Economic Forum being held Jan 27-31.

Upon arrival in Davos, Mr Abhisit began his first mission with a bilateral discussion with Britain’s Prince Andrew, HRH the Duke of York, at Bilateral Room IN 15 in the Congress Center.

The premier told the prince that Thailand wanted to send more skilled workers in the food and spa industries to Britain, but that British immigration regulations are quite strict.

The Duke of York explained that the tough regulation was issued by the Interior Ministry in a bid to prevent the illegal entry of foreign workers. Nonetheless, he will liaise with the ministry to respond to the matter.

In addition, Prince Andrew told Mr Abhisit that he is prepared to encourage British banks to provide loan support to Thai contractors planning to invest overseas.

The Thai premier joined a discussion on “Thailand and the Global Automotive Industry” during which he exchanged views with senior executives of leading carmakers.

Mr Abhisit assured them that his government had a policy to promote Thailand as the auto production hub in ASEAN because the country had quality workforce and good business environment, which are favourable for investment in the auto industry.

Also, Thailand could serve as a gateway to Asia as it had the developed basic infrastructure and had geographic advantages.

ASEAN will develop into the ASEAN Community in 2015, the Thai prime minisiter said. The auto industry will benefit from the development in addition to implementation of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) agreement. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-01-29

[asiawatcher]

Good move - non union, right to work country here with skilled labour force in automotive. I also agree without his comments on immigration for Thai workers to UK - not a bad move, creates a lot of jobs, investment in Thailand and further cements the country as the Detroit of the East. Good one.

[alant]

let me see if i understand this.

Prime minister Abhisit would like to see more skilled Thai workers getting jobs in the uk but the problem is the immigration restrictions are quite strict, mmm maybe the UK should adopt the Thai policies on, immigration, home ownership and working so that opportunities are more equal.

Is the plan on car manufacture to include massive duty being collected by countries that import the vehicles? Probably not as that may be viewed as a protectionist measure.

[khaowong1]

Let me see... this article had the Thai P.M. using "hub" and "gateway" all in one paragraph. wow.

[Bagwan]

Skilled work force? Don't robots put cars together these days and the 'workers' - for want of a phrase - merely feed the robots? I suggest that Red Robbo could do the Thai motor assembly industry a power of good.

Doesn't the UK now have a policy of allowing only those who have special skills and can make a contribution to the economy to enter the country? Growing rice hasn't taken off in the UK and I'd be surprised if it did. In any event Laotians, Cambodians and the Vietnamese are much better at it as shown by the yields per acre. On the other hand the UK could show the Thais how to build a barrier across the Chao Phraya River and no doubt the Dutch could teach the Thais a thing or several in that area.

If Abhisit doesn't know that he was wasting his breath then I suggest that Oxford University should disown him. Thailand and the UK are in competition. Both countries are trying to off load their surplus idiots.

[carbine1125]

Skilled work force? Don't robots put cars together these days and the 'workers' - for want of a phrase - merely feed the robots? I suggest that Red Robbo could do the Thai motor assembly industry a power of good.

Doesn't the UK now have a policy of allowing only those who have special skills and can make a contribution to the economy to enter the country? Growing rice hasn't taken off in the UK and I'd be surprised if it did. In any event Laotians, Cambodians and the Vietnamese are much better at it as shown by the yields per acre. On the other hand the UK could show the Thais how to build a barrier across the Chao Phraya River and no doubt the Dutch could teach the Thais a thing or several in that area.

If Abhisit doesn't know that he was wasting his breath then I suggest that Oxford University should disown him. Thailand and the UK are in competition. Both countries are trying to off load their surplus idiots.

That could be true, after all Thailand did end up with you.........

[housepainter]

Thailand wants to export more skilled professionals in the 'Spa' industry to the UK. Is that the same as the brothel industry then or is something here not lost in translation? Spa industry. I wonder if Abhisit started his speech with informing his audience he was going to sell a famous Thai industry known the world over; it has 3 letters and begins with 's'.

You got it.

In exchange more cars are to be built here. One ride then for another. But this one is like a Thai BMW that suddenly develops the same reliability of the other German brands; namely the Traban.

Rice, prawns and porn are the exports of Thailand but not necessarily in that order. At least two of them smell fishy.

Thailand. Poor Abhisit. At least the British will have kept a straight face when declining most politely.

Next.

[catmac]

Rather ironic that on the very same day VW announced that they were setting up production in Malaysia...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12050488

It would seem that real businessmen are not fooled by Abhisit's fantasy world!

[spud1]

Unstable country,no work ethics and mass corruption.It's a wonder their not beating his door down.

[Bagwan]

Skilled work force? Don't robots put cars together these days and the 'workers' - for want of a phrase - merely feed the robots? I suggest that Red Robbo could do the Thai motor assembly industry a power of good.

Doesn't the UK now have a policy of allowing only those who have special skills and can make a contribution to the economy to enter the country? Growing rice hasn't taken off in the UK and I'd be surprised if it did. In any event Laotians, Cambodians and the Vietnamese are much better at it as shown by the yields per acre. On the other hand the UK could show the Thais how to build a barrier across the Chao Phraya River and no doubt the Dutch could teach the Thais a thing or several in that area.

If Abhisit doesn't know that he was wasting his breath then I suggest that Oxford University should disown him. Thailand and the UK are in competition. Both countries are trying to off load their surplus idiots.

That could be true, after all Thailand did end up with you.........

And you.

The inhabitants of my village will confirm that I was never surplus to requirements, indeed I was an essential member of the populace. If it hadn't been for me the village stocks would have been made redundant. I clam to be uniquely maladjusted - but fun.

[Englander]

mmm maybe the UK should adopt the Thai policies on, immigration, home ownership and working so that opportunities are more equal.

My god how i wish they would id vote for them in an instant, but no UK Political Party has the common sense of the Thais.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/8290263/Record-number-of-illegal-immigrants-win-right-to-stay-in-UK.html?

[tartempion]

let me see if i understand this.

Prime minister Abhisit would like to see more skilled Thai workers getting jobs in the uk but the problem is the immigration restrictions are quite strict, mmm maybe the UK should adopt the Thai policies on, immigration, home ownership and working so that opportunities are more equal.

Is the plan on car manufacture to include massive duty being collected by countries that import the vehicles? Probably not as that may be viewed as a protectionist measure.

Can I work here in Thailand?

Can I buy a VW at German prices here?

[barka]

Skilled work force? Don't robots put cars together these days and the 'workers' - for want of a phrase - merely feed the robots? I suggest that Red Robbo could do the Thai motor assembly industry a power of good.

Doesn't the UK now have a policy of allowing only those who have special skills and can make a contribution to the economy to enter the country? Growing rice hasn't taken off in the UK and I'd be surprised if it did. In any event Laotians, Cambodians and the Vietnamese are much better at it as shown by the yields per acre. On the other hand the UK could show the Thais how to build a barrier across the Chao Phraya River and no doubt the Dutch could teach the Thais a thing or several in that area.

If Abhisit doesn't know that he was wasting his breath then I suggest that Oxford University should disown him. Thailand and the UK are in competition. Both countries are trying to off load their surplus idiots.

AND.....KEEP THEM OUT.....? THE IDIOTS I MEAN

[barka]

Thailand wants to export more skilled professionals in the 'Spa' industry to the UK. Is that the same as the brothel industry then or is something here not lost in translation? Spa industry. I wonder if Abhisit started his speech with informing his audience he was going to sell a famous Thai industry known the world over; it has 3 letters and begins with 's'.

You got it.

In exchange more cars are to be built here. One ride then for another. But this one is like a Thai BMW that suddenly develops the same reliability of the other German brands; namely the Traban.

Rice, prawns and porn are the exports of Thailand but not necessarily in that order. At least two of them smell fishy.

Thailand. Poor Abhisit. At least the British will have kept a straight face when declining most politely.

Next.

GREAT COMMENT.....Spot on....Your not a politician are you? you could be....

[barka]

Can you imagine a meeting between THAI and British governent..representatives.....who to beleive...?how creditable.. and how long it takes to make any actions ..especially the THAIS...You only have to look at the RED shirt FIASCO and the CORRUPTION HERE...RULE OF LAW etc....forget it PM. OH..by the way the U.K. DONT have a CAR industry any more....WISHFULL THINKING.....Mr PM..

[dumpling]

Thailand wants to export more skilled professionals in the 'Spa' industry to the UK. Is that the same as the brothel industry then or is something here not lost in translation? Spa industry. I wonder if Abhisit started his speech with informing his audience he was going to sell a famous Thai industry known the world over; it has 3 letters and begins with 's'.

You got it.

In exchange more cars are to be built here. One ride then for another. But this one is like a Thai BMW that suddenly develops the same reliability of the other German brands; namely the Traban.

Rice, prawns and porn are the exports of Thailand but not necessarily in that order. At least two of them smell fishy.

Thailand. Poor Abhisit. At least the British will have kept a straight face when declining most politely.

Next.

well U.K immigration does require them to have a skill, some of the girls in the massage parlours oops spa's are very skilled

[SantiSuk]

I wonder of I will see a Thai-made Porsche or Ferrari in my lifetime. Oops, sorry I've woken up properly now.

[Steely Dan]

let me see if i understand this.

Prime minister Abhisit would like to see more skilled Thai workers getting jobs in the uk but the problem is the immigration restrictions are quite strict, mmm maybe the UK should adopt the Thai policies on, immigration, home ownership and working so that opportunities are more equal.

Is the plan on car manufacture to include massive duty being collected by countries that import the vehicles? Probably not as that may be viewed as a protectionist measure.

Ok, I'll see what I can do with my UK connections. Perhaps we can stretch to a modest quota increase for masseuses and domestic helpers, but I'm not sure we need a cleaner to dust the crown jewels. Could we just ask for one little thing in return? Drop these silly visa run requirements for British nationals who would rather not be whisked off to the border every 90 days by a psychopath driving a minivan.

Thanks.

[DP25]

Rice, prawns and porn are the exports of Thailand but not necessarily in that order. At least two of them smell fishy.

Thailand. Poor Abhisit. At least the British will have kept a straight face when declining most politely.

Next.

Actually, by FAR the largest export of Thailand is...automobiles. Thailand is already an enormous automobile manufacturer and is growing at an extremely high pace. They exported 800,000 automobiles last year, next year will probably break a million as production ramps up and new factories come online. With just the stuff under construction now in the next few years Thailand will be manufacturing 2.5 million automobiles per year. So yes, Abhisit is right to continue expanding the enormous automotive industry here as it is the single most important part of the economy. Automobiles, motorcycles (Ducati is even making a new factory here), parts etc are all growing fast.

Despite what some farang think, agriculture is 11% of the economy, rice and prawns are not nearly as large as manufacturing.

[kennalder]

The premier told the prince that Thailand wanted to send more skilled workers in the food and spa industries to Britain, but that British immigration regulations are quite strict.

Was anyone left standing after he said this? Surely everyone was ROFL-ing. Anyone who wasn't, soon was when Prince Andrew replied: "I will allow all Thais with legitimate degrees to come teach the Thai language in English schools!"

[Bagwan]

Just to be pedantic I do not accept that Thailand is a vehicle manufacturer. Who designs and owns the factories? Who comes up with the designs for new models? Where is research for enhancements carried out and by whom? Who designs and actually manufactures the machine tools and robots employed in assembly? Who gets the majority of the profits? Apart from being a plentiful source of cheap labour what else attracts manufacturers to Thailand?

Isn't it correct that all Thailand does is provide pairs of hands and in return collects some tax monies? Isn't it the case that what the Thais input is akin to a youngster amusing himself with his Lego set? Would it be a great marketing ploy to fix a label to each vehicle which said Made in Thailand?

[tartempion]

Actually, by FAR the largest export of Thailand is...automobiles.

Ah, but we can not IMPORT foreign cars....