Political corruption a weak point for foreign investors in Thailand

By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- A survey of foreign investors conducted by Abac Poll is showing that political conflict and corruption rank among the biggest fears for those looking to do business in Thailand.

The survey asked groups of foreign businesspeople to rank the ASEAN nations in a variety of categories. According to most of these rubrics, Thailand did surprisingly well.

Not only did respondents rank the Kingdom as the easiest of the ASEAN nations in which to secure raw materials, they also said that Thailand had the best workforce. [more...]

Full story: http://www.coconutsb...rs-in-thailand/

-- COCONUTS Bangkok 2013-01-09

Funny that. Corruption and political instability are the strongest attributes of PTP

Not one mention of the 2007 constitution to boot!

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Not one mention of the 2007 constitution to boot!

Wait until the new on of 2013

No surprises here.

But I thought that the PM said that it was the 2006 coup that foreign investors had a problem with.

Where in the survey, was political corruption even brought up?

Political instability was a concern. Corruption was a concern- but 'political corruption'?

Well for those who can't be bothered (why?) headlines tacked on to push an agenda seem to be sufficient- regardless of their relevance to the actual story.

Edited January 9, 201313 yr by blaze

Political should be "General"

Well well, political corruption is a weak point for foreign investors, okay , the matter has been identified , question is , what is going to be done about it. S.F.A

Chainarong, where in the survey was 'political corruption' even brought up?

Did you read the survey report (following the links)?

Chainarong, where in the survey was 'political corruption' even brought up?

Did you read the survey report (following the links)?

How do you know it wasn't?

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The other newspaper has a full story and list that in a poll of foreign travellers political conflict and corruption were cited as weak points.

The Public Policy for Asean Affairs Research Centre at Abac Poll of Assumption University interviewed 958 foreigners travelling to countries in Asean from Dec 10 to Jan 8, asking for their views on Thailand's strong and weak points and the investment climate in Asean.

Are you referring to the article available by following the links? If so, NOWHERE is the term 'political corruption' used in the body of the survey.

Poltical instability was referred to. Corruption was referred to-= but NOT political corruption.

Are you referring to the article available by following the links? If so, NOWHERE is the term 'political corruption' used in the body of the survey.

Poltical instability was referred to. Corruption was referred to-= but NOT political corruption.

Go and complain to "Coconuts Bangkok".

Well this was a survey amongst larger investors. Now what about the rviled and hated guy that sets up a company against all the odds and restrictions here and gives local people a job. Reviled and hated by the Thais and many TV posters (looking at some posts) that is. Often they pile their life savings into an idea, usually lose it all but if it works then face their shareholders tossing them out and stealing the company. How would the polls look if all the small businesses got to comment?

Political should be "General"

Yes indeed, right across the board unfortunately.

Did they interview real business people in their factories, or just the tourist on the street. I doubt corruption effects foreign business persons to even a minimal degree.

Did they interview real business people in their factories, or just the tourist on the street. I doubt corruption effects foreign business persons to even a minimal degree.

Are u kidding? The fact that to invest even at the largest level your choice is either get nominees and risk legal limbo or give half the company away shows that even the biggest investors have to play legal hopscotch in Thailand.

You can't enter the market without paying the door keeper.

Did they interview real business people in their factories, or just the tourist on the street. I doubt corruption effects foreign business persons to even a minimal degree.

I hope your tongue is firmly embedded in your cheek.

Are you referring to the article available by following the links? If so, NOWHERE is the term 'political corruption' used in the body of the survey.

Poltical instability was referred to. Corruption was referred to-= but NOT political corruption.

Do you mean to suggest that "corruption" refers to the bribes these foreign investors are paying to the pineapple salesman standing at his fruit cart in their soi?

Did they interview real business people in their factories, or just the tourist on the street. I doubt corruption effects foreign business persons to even a minimal degree.

Coconuts Bangkok says "foreign investors", while Bangkok Post says "foreigners travellers ... travelling to countries in ASEAN".

They were required to have knowledge of Thailand and 5 other ASEAN countries, which puts most tourists on the street out of the picture.

... and the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

Thanks, coconuts.

This Thai corruption topic has been beaten to death for many years. Another useless ABAC poll is meaningless. We all know about it. Corruption and bribery/payoffs are woven so deep in to the Thai DNA that it can only head south. The first step in becoming a failed state is blatant, rampant , unchecked corruption.

how about... laws that protect farang? 0 here, no rights... no to land owning, no to owning 100% of your own business

yes on having to pay salary, taxes and social security for 4 useless thai people you have to emploi for every workpermit for a farang

<The survey asked groups of foreign businesspeople to rank the ASEAN nations in a variety of categories. According to most of these rubrics, Thailand did surprisingly well.>

This is what I can read in the article.

The fantastic IMF's slide can just give an idea about Thailand and Asean in the next few years. fantastic places with growths between 6% and 10 %

The numbers of BOI projects can only confirm that investments in Thailanda are arriving fairly well, and will continue on.

Corruption? Well, ok, right, it is there, but how much does it cost copared to other countries?

Is it manageble? If so, then this is not longer a problem for investors.

I personally believe that this is the case of Thailand. This article is sucks. Corruption is everywhere. Europe docet.

This is just my opinion

Edited January 10, 201313 yr by Tech65

Chainarong, where in the survey was 'political corruption' even brought up?

Did you read the survey report (following the links)?

How do you know it wasn't?

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Any corruption to note IS political corruption. And we all know that's what they mean.

Did they interview real business people in their factories, or just the tourist on the street. I doubt corruption effects foreign business persons to even a minimal degree.

No offense but either you just aren't thinking things through or you are quite uninformed - both about the extent of corruption in this country and how it affects doing business here (and ultimately affects EVERYONE here one way or another).

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Edited January 10, 201313 yr by SteeleJoe

If people believed that their business does not directly involve a ministry and that corruption is related to dealings with the state many might feel that corruption is not a problem that would affect them. However- they know all too well (some do) that there is massive corruption here that doesn't involve the government or even those nests of corruption, the state agencies (which have proved remarkably immune to interference from the ministries)- When you put a bid in to subcontract your services to a construction project (private) and your bid won't even be considered without an appropriately fat 'gift', that is NOT political corruption.

Unless political corruption is defined to include the inability to herd cats..

If people believed that their business does not directly involve a ministry and that corruption is related to dealings with the state many might feel that corruption is not a problem that would affect them. However- they know all too well (some do) that there is massive corruption here that doesn't involve the government or even those nests of corruption, the state agencies (which have proved remarkably immune to interference from the ministries)- When you put a bid in to subcontract your services to a construction project (private) and your bid won't even be considered without an appropriately fat 'gift', that is NOT political corruption.

Unless political corruption is defined to include the inability to herd cats..

Well said Blaze. Spot on.

Best work force? Powder puffs, scruffy comments and false smiles... proactive is a word that needs another generation to define. I wish they would be a great work force....

If people believed that their business does not directly involve a ministry and that corruption is related to dealings with the state many might feel that corruption is not a problem that would affect them. However- they know all too well (some do) that there is massive corruption here that doesn't involve the government or even those nests of corruption, the state agencies (which have proved remarkably immune to interference from the ministries)- When you put a bid in to subcontract your services to a construction project (private) and your bid won't even be considered without an appropriately fat 'gift', that is NOT political corruption.

Unless political corruption is defined to include the inability to herd cats..

Methinks you protest too much. Corruption here is top-down form the government-controlled family to the vendor paying off the BIB. It's where no new mobile operators are allowed, the Thai Tobacco Monopoly is protected, car subsidies are for Japanese companies (mainly), vote-buying minimum wage destroying some SMEs, locally brewed alcohol is low-taxed (or not at all) to hurt imports (beer & wine especially), massively corrupt companies are given airport concessions. And so on.

Is that enough to go on or do you want more?