Industrial confidence down for fifth month, FTI finds

TINNAKORN CHAOWACHUEN

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Industrial Confidence Index fell for the fifth consecutive month in October, to 93 points, the lowest level since last December.

Payungsak Chartsutipol, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), which conducted the survey to compile the index, said the figure reflected the poor state of business operators' confidence, influenced by rises in raw-material prices, wages and electricity charges. Export-oriented manufacturers also suffered from weak demand overseas.

"The private sector is now asking for a delay in the [increase of the] fuel tariff [on electricity]. The government should keep power prices under control, to help reduce production costs.

They also want the government to address the labour shortage," he said.

The October index stood at 93.0, down from 94.1 in September. The FTI survey covered 1,153 operators in 42 industrial groups.

For the confidence index of exported-oriented business alone, the index stood at 83.4, down from 90.3 in September, after declining purchase orders and revenue.

The indices of industrial operators in all regions were below the baseline of 100, indicating weak confidence. The Northeast was lowest at 85.6, down from 87.7 in September, reflecting worries of drought that could hit agricultural production, and consequently a shortage of raw materials for production of processed agricultural products.

The confidence-forecast index for the next three months is 101.8, down from 103.5 in September.

The October survey also found higher concern on the impacts of the global economy and local political uncertainties.

Industrial operators proposed that the government postpone the fuel-tariff increase, solve labour shortages, cut import tariffs on raw materials and machinery, and strengthen the logistics system.

-- The Nation 2012-11- 24

Populist PTP policies = "... business operators' confidence, influenced by rises in raw-material prices, wages and electricity charges."

And these ...

"...want the government to address the labour shortage."

"Industrial operators proposed that the government postpone the fuel-tariff increase, solve labour shortages, cut import tariffs on raw materials and machinery, and strengthen the logistics system."

Business down, demand down, labour wage hike, prices up everywhere, cost of living doubled in just over 12 months. Great job PTP - and what is left over is being stolen through corruption from a Government who cares nought but to line Thaksin's and his cronies' pockets. And now Embassies issuing No Travel warnings again. Great. WAKE UP THAILAND.

And of course, all these problems are caused by the many foreigners living in Thailand, not by Thais.

Government who cares nought but to line Thaksin's and his cronies' pockets.

Right! Cause Thailand never had corrupt poloticians until Thaksin came along!

"Same as it ever was." - Talking Heads

Last year some time, during a discussion about how THailand is on the brink of implosion as a result of politcal and natural disaters etc. - my boss and mentor (a man of 2 decades plus in Thailand) commented that it doesn't matter what these monkeys do to each other - its'll be forgotten and replaced by another crisis within a year ..... real investors recognise this as a natural cycle in the country.... just like monsoons, and other predictable features - they price in the risk and just get on with it.

I am slowly coming to agree with him, and becoming numb to the BS these clowns come up with so frequently..... and tats based on what? Some fudged BS figures manipulated by some clown at some level and passed off as fact?

The circus acts aer just another overhead.....

"The October survey also found higher concern on the impacts of the global economy and local political uncertainties."

= Yingluck, her freaking brother and the rest. Would it be at Madame Tussaud, I wouldn't mind.

​

Thanks Yingluck!

Thanks Yingluck!

you're overcome.

Government who cares nought but to line Thaksin's and his cronies' pockets.

Right! Cause Thailand never had corrupt poloticians until Thaksin came along!

"Same as it ever was." - Talking Heads

A few years ago someone took to a whole new level.

Thanks Yingluck!

you're overcome.

often.

So before 5 months ago, industrial confidence was up???

MyThai friends are fast losing hope that soon they will be rich. I told them at the time that the statement by the Governmant was the only thing rich.

Even taking the floods into account. BBC reports the Thai economy grew 0.5% last year.