'Connectivity' The Theme As Thai PM Inaugurates World Economic Forum On East Asia

[webfact]

'Connectivity' the theme as Thai PM inaugurates World Economic Forum on East Asia

BANGKOK, May 31 - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Thursday will preside over the official inaugural of the 21st World Economic Forum (WEF) on East Asia 2012 being held at the Shangri-La Hotel.

The official opening ceremony is scheduled at 3.30pm and the theme of this year’s meeting is "Shaping the Region’s Future through Connectivity." The WEF will continue through tomorrow.

This morning the prime minister is attending a CNBC Power Breakfast where she will interact with corporate leaders and address the gathering on "Asia’s New Reality: Growth vs Inflation."

Ms Yingluck and other dignitaries will have an opportunity to share their perspectives on the new challenges and opportunities of shaping East Asia’s future through connectivity.

The premier will deliver welcoming remarks at the opening ceremony in the afternoon and will host a gala dinner for all participants.

More than 630 participants from 50 countries will meet at the World Economic Forum on East Asia taking place for the first time in Thailand.

The Bangkok meeting will welcome over 50 public figures representing 20 countries, including Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong and Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

More than 450 business leaders, over 60 ‘Global Growth Companies,’ 33 ‘Young Global Leaders’ and 14 persons recognised as ‘Social Entrepreneurs’ together with other members of civil society and academia will convene to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing East Asia.

The 21st East Asia meeting is also bringing together key international public figures such as Aung San Suu Kyi, Chairman of the National League for Democracy (NLD); Pascal Lamy, Director-General, World Trade Organization (WTO); Rajat M Nag, Managing Director-General, Asian Development Bank (ADB); Supachai Panitchpakdi, Secretary-General, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD); Surin Pitsuwan, Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretary General; Naoyuki Shinohara, Deputy Managing Director, International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Top-level government representatives from Thailand at the meeting include Kittiratt Na-Ranong, Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Finance; Chumpol Silapa-Archa, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism; Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Anudith Nakornthap, Minister of Information and Communication Technology; and Arak Chonlatanon, Minister of Energy.

WEF yesterday held a surprise meeting of Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi with more than 60 young World Economic Forum participants in a one-hour session with her. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-05-31

[webfact]

PM to Officially Open World Econ Forum This Evening At Shangri-La

BANGKOK: -- The prime minister is attending functions on the second day of the World Economic Forum and will officially open the conference this evening at Shangri-La Hotel.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra this morning delivered a welcoming speech for the CNBC Power Breakfast at Angelini restaurant in Shangri-La Hotel and is scheduled to meet World Trade Organization Director-General Pascal Lamy at 11 A.M.

In the afternoon, the prime minister will meet with members of the community of Global Growth companies in the 'Meet the Leaders' function at 2 P.M., after which she will deliver a speech to officially open the World Economic Forum on East Asia 2012 at the Plenary Hall of Shangri-La Hotel.

At 5.30 P.M., the prime minister is scheduled to lead her Laotian counterpart to an audience with His Majesty the King at Siriraj Hospital.

She will then host a Gala Dinner for the World Economic Forum participants at 8 P.M. at the Royal Thai Navy Convention Hall.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-31

[Buchholz]

Yingluck Boasts Economy Still Strong

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the World Economic Forum on East Asia 2012, vowing that her administration will maintain the economic balance, raise minimum income and stimulate domestic consumption.

This morning, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra made a speech at the opening ceremony of the World Economic Forum on East Asia 2012 at Shangri-la Hotel in Bangkok, pointing out that the government is currently looking to stimulate the economy while keeping a close eye on inflation.

Yingluck has also pledged to maintain balance between growth and price stability, especially during the sluggish global economy.

The prime minister has asked the Bank of Thailand to keep the inflation rate in check with various macroeconomic tools and measures.

She expects this year's economic growth to be between 5.5 and 6.5 percent with the low unemployment rate of 0.7 percent.

The government will use this opportunity to raise the people's standard with its minimum wage policy, which is also expected to promote domestic consumption and investment.

At the same time, the government is developing the economy in order to raise productivity with industrial restructure, human resources and basic infrastructure.

She believes that this would strengthen the country's economy and make it more flexible.

Also, given Thailand's location, strong economic foundations, diversity and its flood management experience, Thailand will be able to absorb shocks and turn a crisis into an opportunity.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-31

[dominique355]

For a true "connectivity", perhaps the Thai Government might want to consider abolishing censorship and letting information flow in freely.

[osiboy]

For a true "connectivity", perhaps the Thai Government might want to consider abolishing censorship and letting information flow in freely.

a bit of honesty may help too !

[saltandpepper]

For a true "connectivity", perhaps the Thai Government might want to consider abolishing censorship and letting information flow in freely.

a bit of honesty may help too !

I am curious to know...how did she say it?

[siampolee]

Whilst it seems as if Asia in general is little affected as yet by the economic turmoil in the west the plans mooted by Yingluck, or rather the plans mooted by the assorted experts that Yingluck subsequently cites at the opening of this particular forum are somewhat over optimistic.

It seems according to the figures posted that the economy may seem to be in a fair state of health at the moment, however there are a number of outside influences that could and indeed would and will change the economic outlook from a positive aspect to a negative aspect.

The return of the banned politicians may have an impact,, the possible upsurge in public protests by assorted groups of political hues will have an affected. the manipulation along with the transference of national debt to other financial institutions does not make those debts disappear. The populist policies are going to become a millstone around the neck of the finance department as time goes on.

Speculators are playing the market and manipulating the market in their own special ways ensuring that the pot is full. When that pot is full then the selling will begin.The result will be a crash in the Thai economic system of what proportion that crash may be well we can only hazard a guess.

Lastly we need to remember that the ongoing machinations and dealings going on in the background to wipe various slates clean for various groups and various people will also have an adverse affect on the financial stability as well as the civil peace scenario in a time span that may well be not to far into the distant future.

Talk is cheap, dreams are wonderful.

Everything in the economic garden is coming up it seems as pretty and sweet smelling as roses, well let us wait until the first frost comes then let us see what the economic garden looks like.

Edited May 31, 2012 by siampolee

[h90]

For a true "connectivity", perhaps the Thai Government might want to consider abolishing censorship and letting information flow in freely.

for them yes....but not for serving class

[LuckyLew]

For a true "connectivity", perhaps the Thai Government might want to consider abolishing censorship and letting information flow in freely.

for them yes....but not for serving class

next you will want human rights and no corruption ... common now TIT

[gand]

It won't be long before she is tossed aside like so much used rubbish, when her brother comes back and takes over.

[Baerboxer]

"Also, given Thailand's location, strong economic foundations, diversity and its flood management experience, Thailand will be able to absorb shocks and turn a crisis into an opportunity."

They do say that learning from mistakes is the best way to learn! We shall see.