Duke Of York Urges Thailand To Invest More In UK

[webfact]

Duke of York urges Thailand to invest more in UK

BANGKOK, March 2 – His Royal Highness the Duke of York of the United Kingdom urged Thai businesspeople to invest more in British industries in a discussion with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Thursday as the two countries aim to boost bilateral trade and investment.

Prince Andrew hailed progress in Thailand, both in political stability and economic development, and expressed confidence that Thailand will play a vital role in the regional and international level.

During the meeting at Government House, Prince Andrew urged the Thai business community to invest more in the UK in many industries such as the steel production and mining sectors.

The prince noted that the planned ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by 2015 will boost the competitiveness of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with other regions.

Ms Yingluck said she welcomed the Duke of York's advice that Thai investors should invest more in the UK and bolster trade and investment partnership between the two countries.

The Thai premier also briefed him about the latest situation in Thailand that the country is in the process to build national reconciliation and narrow the wealth gap among people.

Early Thursday, the Duke of York granted an audience to Thailand’s foreign and commerce ministers for talks on investment.

Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said after the meeting that he told the Prince about Myanmar’s readiness to chair ASEAN next year and the improved relationship between Thailand and Cambodia.

Regarding the relationship between the two countries, the minister said the UK viewed that the law relating to foreigners in Thailand is an obstacle to investment, in particular that concerning education. He suggested that the law, if amended, would encourage more investment in Thailand by UK universities.

After Thailand faced a devastating flood last year, Mr Surapong also told the Prince that financial executive decrees will support the implementation of water management plans to build confidence among investors.

Touching on the country’s tourism, the minister asked for support from the UK to help promote Thailand tourism after the number of Russian tourists ranked top for tourist arrivals to Thailand, overtaking the number of tourist arrivals from the UK.

Prince Andrew also inquired about the Thai government’s stability, Mr Surapong said, adding that he explained the situation is improving after years of political conflict caused Thailand to lose trade opportunities. The current government is determined to finish its four-year term to develop a full-fledged democracy.

The Duke of York, the second son of Queen Elizabeth II, began visiting Thailand as a guest of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Tuesday and will leave on Saturday.

His visit is aimed at strengthening royal ties and promoting trade partnership and investment between the two countries.

Their Majesties the King and Queen granted Prince Andrew an audience on Wednesday to present a message from Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of King Bhumibol’s 84th birthday. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-03-02

[johna]

He should go begging for help in the richer commonwealth countries such as India, which did not squander its wealth in Thatcher/Reagan style econmics.

[taff33]

How can any one take any notice of a tosspot like andy all he wants is freebies.if he can do any thing about the visa system or getting the increase in the uk pension i will think he is a great prince.

[laurentbkk]

what about asking to UK to invest in Thailand ?

[jonclark]

what about asking to UK to invest in Thailand ?

Unfortunatly the UK views many laws regarding foreigners as a hinderance to trade. Perhaps if the laws were amended there would be more direct investment.

[noitom]

If Thais invested in the UK, they wouldn't be able to control their "skim."

[Thaddeus]

Well at least this is a good example of how you are supposed to have a meeting.

[w11guy]

He should go begging for help in the richer commonwealth countries such as India, which did not squander its wealth in Thatcher/Reagan style econmics.

The UK was paying off it's debts when Thatcher was in power. It was Blair/Brown that squandered all the money. Even while they were telling us that boom and bust was over and that times had never been so good, they were still borrowing exorbitant amounts. Get your facts straight.

[w11guy]

How embarrassing! A rich country coming to a poor country begging for money. Disgusting.

[w11guy]

If Thais invested in the UK, they wouldn't be able to control their "skim."

There is plenty of corruption in the UK, so plenty of money to skim. It happens all the time, but is more hidden. Even Blair said id was ok to offer bribes if it meant jobs for UK people. So bribery was officially sanctioned by the UK prime minister.

[stoneyboy]

Perhaps he should have taken the bus,car or train like the rest of us as opposed to his private helicopter,might be some extra cash in the pot for those who deserve it.

[asdecas]

Which golf course?

[sausageandmash]

Where's your proof that he actually said that?

If Thais invested in the UK, they wouldn't be able to control their "skim."

There is plenty of corruption in the UK, so plenty of money to skim. It happens all the time, but is more hidden. Even Blair said id was ok to offer bribes if it meant jobs for UK people. So bribery was officially sanctioned by the UK prime minister.

[sausageandmash]

What a ridiculous thing to say. Why would a Prince take the train? You wouldn't expect any other royalty to take public transport, so why him?

Perhaps he should have taken the bus,car or train like the rest of us as opposed to his private helicopter,might be some extra cash in the pot for those who deserve it.

[sausageandmash]

You can see the look on Prince Andrew's face. I bet he's thinking "I would!"

[seaeagle]

How can any one take any notice of a tosspot like andy all he wants is freebies.if he can do any thing about the visa system or getting the increase in the uk pension i will think he is a great prince.

Ah, yes, I remember - it's called "Freedom of Speech".

Legislation here doesn't allow such comments, so you'd be best to be thankful that you come from a country where the Monarchy is respected but not above criticism, and that the whole thing about GB is that you're allowed to make such insulting comments without fear.

Certainly there's a 'tosspot' here, but it's not Andy!

[gerrygoat]

I always thought there was "No Discussion Of The Monarchy" on Thai Visa

[stoneyboy]

What a ridiculous thing to say. Why would a Prince take the train? You wouldn't expect any other royalty to take public transport, so why him?

Perhaps he should have taken the bus,car or train like the rest of us as opposed to his private helicopter,might be some extra cash in the pot for those who deserve it.

Where did I mention public transport.

http://en.wikipedia....ish_Royal_Train

Incidentally HRH The Prince Of Wales came to my home town Great Yarmouth on Monday by the same train.

Edited March 2, 2012 by stoneyboy

[Paul1Kanya]

Anyone else read the coverage of this in the Mail and telegraph.

If I were K. Yingluck I would be pretty tee'd off. The writers sexed up the article thereby demeaning the whole exercise and in my opinion insulting Yingluck and indeed the country.

They should also check on their facts such as royal birthdays and other things important to the Thai people prior to going to press. Shame on you.

Paul1.

[WilliaminBKK]

I've always liked HRH Andrew - ok I'm a loyal Monarchist.

It is nice to see discussions about investment rather than embargoes

[BigJohnnyBKK]

How embarrassing! A rich country coming to a poor country begging for money. Disgusting.

The UK isn't so rich, and Thailand (as a nation, not per-capita) isn't so poor.

Plus the trends are definitely looking at closing the gap one way or the other.

And for you Brits going on about your pension and Thai's visa laws you really think the Prince gives a toss? He's here for high-level corporate interests, not whingeing commoners.

[Roj]

He should go begging for help in the richer commonwealth countries such as India, which did not squander its wealth in Thatcher/Reagan style econmics.

The UK was paying off it's debts when Thatcher was in power. It was Blair/Brown that squandered all the money. Even while they were telling us that boom and bust was over and that times had never been so good, they were still borrowing exorbitant amounts. Get your facts straight.

I`m not politically aligned to either Labour or the Conservatives but it does seem to be the case that Labour always involves itself in boom and bust economics and are then replaced by the Conservatives who have to take measures to restore the economy and that makes them unpopular leading to them being replaced by labour who again throw money around like there`s no tomorrow, and so the cycle goes on.

As for narrowing the wealth gap in Thailand, it`s always only going to be a pin prick unless you can alter the selfish mindset of the super wealthy old elite who actually own Thailand.

[elwood]

what about asking to UK to invest in Thailand ?

Unfortunatly the UK views many laws regarding foreigners as a hinderance to trade. Perhaps if the laws were amended there would be more direct investment.

Yes of course the incorruptible British government and the equally honest British Big Business will refuse to invest in a potentially profitable market because a few Brits can't buy a house or get a permanent visa.

Saudi Arabia,as one example, treats all foreigners with total disdain, including other Arabs, yet it hasn't stopped the British government and the arms dealers and others from dealing with them. Bahrain and Sri Lanka are just a couple of further examples of countries that we deal with who are not exactly pro-foreigner.

[trainman34014]

I like the comment she made about 'narrowing the wealth gap among people'. Very easy really, if she would just withdraw a few of her 16 million dollars from the bank and share it out around the country a lot of the locals would feel that the gap between them and her had been considerably narrowed !

[trainman34014]

He should go begging for help in the richer commonwealth countries such as India, which did not squander its wealth in Thatcher/Reagan style econmics.

The UK was paying off it's debts when Thatcher was in power. It was Blair/Brown that squandered all the money. Even while they were telling us that boom and bust was over and that times had never been so good, they were still borrowing exorbitant amounts. Get your facts straight.

I`m not politically aligned to either Labour or the Conservatives but it does seem to be the case that Labour always involves itself in boom and bust economics and are then replaced by the Conservatives who have to take measures to restore the economy and that makes them unpopular leading to them being replaced by labour who again throw money around like there`s no tomorrow, and so the cycle goes on.

As for narrowing the wealth gap in Thailand, it`s always only going to be a pin prick unless you can alter the selfish mindset of the super wealthy old elite who actually own Thailand.

Your observations are spot on !

[trainman34014]

what about asking to UK to invest in Thailand ?

Unfortunatly the UK views many laws regarding foreigners as a hinderance to trade. Perhaps if the laws were amended there would be more direct investment.

Yes of course the incorruptible British government and the equally honest British Big Business will refuse to invest in a potentially profitable market because a few Brits can't buy a house or get a permanent visa.

Saudi Arabia,as one example, treats all foreigners with total disdain, including other Arabs, yet it hasn't stopped the British government and the arms dealers and others from dealing with them. Bahrain and Sri Lanka are just a couple of further examples of countries that we deal with who are not exactly pro-foreigner.

Yes; but only a deaf and blind idiot would not understand why we are dealing with them.

[DP25]

How embarrassing! A rich country coming to a poor country begging for money. Disgusting.

The UK isn't so rich, and Thailand (as a nation, not per-capita) isn't so poor.

Plus the trends are definitely looking at closing the gap one way or the other.

And for you Brits going on about your pension and Thai's visa laws you really think the Prince gives a toss? He's here for high-level corporate interests, not whingeing commoners.

Yup. Last year a Thai company purchased a steel mill in the UK for $470 million that was to be shut down, and plans on adding a thousand jobs to the hundreds they already saved

http://www.thaivisa....uk%20steelmaker

[ParadiseLost]

He should go begging for help in the richer commonwealth countries such as India, which did not squander its wealth in Thatcher/Reagan style econmics.

The UK was paying off it's debts when Thatcher was in power. It was Blair/Brown that squandered all the money. Even while they were telling us that boom and bust was over and that times had never been so good, they were still borrowing exorbitant amounts. Get your facts straight.

Not to mention selling off 50% of the gold reserves at a fraction of it's current value...

[anterian]

I seem to remember some time back that Andrew is no longer an accredited trade envoy for Britain, apparently his lifestyle and some business contacts had become an embarrassment to the government. Perhaps they forgot to tell him.

But read for yourself: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/jul/21/prince-andrew-quit-trade-ambassador

[tragickingdom]

The British are never lacking opportunism. When Thaksin was deposed they went out of their way to please the than powerful yellow shirts and crooked military by revoking Thaksin's visa even though nothing was proven and now another royal who never spoke out against article 112 is asking for investment. Maybe if he bends over Yingluck can spank him first and tell him to apologize to the Thai voters first.