Thailand's Economic Freedom Rating Remains Low

I thought this news release would be of interest; Thailand ranks 87 out 144. A slight improvement since 2010 when the Democrats were in power, but still not much of an improvement. Many other countries made significant improvements. Overall, not much of an incentive for foreign investment in Tthailand and doesn't score well in comparison to successful Asean member states. It had a score of 6.70 to earn its bottom range ranking. Interesting enough the so called alternatives of China, India, Myanmar & Vietnam , all did worse. Here's a nice chart http://www.freetheworld.com/2012/EFW2012-complete.pdf Thailand is fortunate, its local "alterantives" are in worse shape.

Despite slight increase in global levels of economic freedom, U.S. sinks to 18 in international ranking; Hong Kong again tops world for economic freedom Fraser Institute Report released 18-Sept-2012

The United States, long considered a champion of economic freedom among large industrial nations, dropped to its lowest position ever in to the Fraser Institute’s annual Economic Freedom of the World report. This year, the U.S. plunged to 18 th, a sharp decline from the second overall position it held in 2000. Much of this decline is a result of high spending on the part of the U.S.government.

Hong Kong again topped the rankings, followed by Singapore, New Zealand, and Switzerland. Australia and Canada tied for fifth overall among the144 countries and

territories in the Economic Freedom of the World: 2012 Annual Report. Using 42 distinct variables to create an index ranking countries around the world based on policies that encourage economic freedom. The cornerstones of economic freedom are personal choice, voluntary exchange, freedom to compete, and security of private property. Economic freedom is measured in five different areas: (1) size of government, (2) legal structure and security of property rights, (3) access to sound money, (4) freedom to trade internationally, and (5) regulation of credit, labor, and business. The full report is available at www.freetheworld.com

International rankings

Hong Kong offers the highest level of economic freedom worldwide, with a score of 8.90 out of 10, followed by Singapore (8.69), New Zealand (8.36), Switzerland (8.24), Australia and Canada (each 7.97), Bahrain (7.94), Mauritius (7.90), Finland (7.88), Chile (7.84).The rankings and scores of other large economies include: United States (18th), Japan(20th), Germany (31st), South Korea (37th), France (47th), Italy (83rd), Mexico (91st),Russia (95th), Brazil (105th), China (107th), and India (111th).Venezuela has the lowest level of economic freedom among the 144 jurisdictions measured. Myanmar, Zimbabwe, Republic of Congo, and Angola round out thebottom five nations.