Rifts see Thailand squander its advantages ahead of AEC

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Rifts see Thailand squander its advantages ahead of AEC
SAMUDCHA HOONSARA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THERE SEEMS to have been a lack of preparation on Thailand's part for the launch of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) in 2015, and administrations led by various parties over the past several years can be blamed for failing to make the public clearly understand what is at stake.

As a result, many Thais still do not understand the pros and cons of the AEC and the impact it will have on the country.

That issue aside, when we look at the variety of news generated by the Thai media, we can observe that there is a huge amount of negative news about the country - spanning a whole variety of issues. Put simply, there is so much negative news that we hardly ever hear or read about the good things concerning Thailand at the international level. Negative news regarding politics, issues of security and economic policy is consistently reported and is often used by foreign entities to gauge Thailand's readiness to enter the AEC.

Political upheaval since 2005 continues to this day, with little hope of the parties concerned finding any common ground. Let us not forget that those who hold political clout have hardly met to address the problems at hand, but instead are readily found voicing their own views at their respective forums.

Each side makes its political voice heard through the media, using rallies in order to generate publicity. And yet no one is paying attention to the numerous problems facing Thai society. Instead, they resort to pointing the finger at others, while insisting that they are in the right.

Years of division in political thinking mean that many things cannot be quickly resolved. But if Thai people can become less egocentric and self-righteous, we could find a solution. Thailand is ready for change, but those in a position to bring about that change wait for the other parties to make the first move, resulting in a stalemate. All they seem interested in is winning for winning's sake.

In the past few decades, some of our neighbours have gone through racial, cultural and even ideological conflicts that have led to civil war and even genocide, but they are now making progress, with all sides working together. Thailand is heading in the opposite direction, however, despite the fact that in many ways we should be more ready than our neighbours. The competitive edge that Thailand enjoys means nothing if those in the political divide are not willing to work together.

Thailand's readiness for the AEC in 2015 is therefore not assured. It's hard to predict what lies in store for the more than 60 million Thais as long as the Kingdom is prevented from moving forward by a small group of self-centred people, who insist on campaigning for their own interests.


-- The Nation 2013-07-26

[bubblegum]

"But if Thai people can become less egocentric and self-righteous, we could find a solution".

And if my mother was a man I'd call her Dad.

[noitom]

The writer says that there "seems" to a lack of Thai preparation. That's Thai style. Also the writer states that Thais have "squandered' opportunity. Another Thai characteristic.

[Thai at Heart]

I was waiting for them to name the advantages

[IMA_FARANG]

I was waiting for them to name the advantages

----------------

Just for one advantage ...... geography.

Thailand is centrally located among the area of AEC members.

Now if Thailand were to make wise use of that geographical location it could take advantage of its location by building a first class transportation network (including rail transportation) for the transportation of goods across Thailand by other AEC members. That would be a profitable business for Thai companies to follow.

But note carefully the terms I used here in this post.

I said "wise use" and "first class transportation network".

I. personally. don't think such a thing will come about in Thailand, at least not without some hard decisions being made by the government.

But you asked for an advantage Thailand has in the AEC ..... and there's no doubt that Thailand does have an advantage in it's geographical location..

Edited July 26, 2013 by IMA_FARANG

[TackyToo]

I was waiting for them to name the advantages

----------------

Just for one advantage ...... geography.

Thailand is centrally located among the area of AEC members.

Now if Thailand were to make wise use of that geographical location it could take advantage of its location by building a first class transportation network (including rail transportation) for the transportation of goods across Thailand by other AEC members. That would be a profitable business for Thai companies to follow.

But note carefully the terms I used here in this post.

I said "wise use" and "first class transportation network".

I. personally. don't think such a thing will come about in Thailand, at least not without some hard decisions being made by the government.

But you asked for an advantage Thailand has in the AEC ..... and there's no doubt that Thailand does have an advantage in it's geographical location..

You are right in the point that geography could be an advantage. However, in LOS it turns into a 3rd class advantage. Way behind the personal advantages and gains of too many incompetend people in charge.

[NeverSure]

I don't see Thailand as every really joining the AEC. It is just too stuck on itself. It would have to dump a lot of obstructions that it considers sacred. I think it will continue to see itself as The Hub, and get bypassed.

[jbrain]

You mean it isn't the AEC that has to join Thailand, but the other way around

[Thai at Heart]

I was waiting for them to name the advantages

----------------

Just for one advantage ...... geography.

Thailand is centrally located among the area of AEC members.

Now if Thailand were to make wise use of that geographical location it could take advantage of its location by building a first class transportation network (including rail transportation) for the transportation of goods across Thailand by other AEC members. That would be a profitable business for Thai companies to follow.

But note carefully the terms I used here in this post.

I said "wise use" and "first class transportation network".

I. personally. don't think such a thing will come about in Thailand, at least not without some hard decisions being made by the government.

But you asked for an advantage Thailand has in the AEC ..... and there's no doubt that Thailand does have an advantage in it's geographical location..

Which has absolutely NOTHING to do with the political slant that the article puts on the issue. As for geographic advantages, it has some, but whenever Burma gets around to building it's deep sea port which isn't likely to be at Dawei, then the gerographical benefits drop massively because sea shipping will be quicker from that side of the region. Most large container shipping has to be transhipped in Singapore anyway. I wouldn't overplay the instant benefits of being a transport hub in Thailand. We just had a train drop off the line at 40km/h and have just found out that half the tour buses are built illegally. As for the roads, well, there are some good one's, but an awful lot of shocking one's too.

THailand has an advantage as a thouroughfare for Chinese goods. That's not going to bring enormous direct benfits to Thailand.

[catmac]

Sadly, the entire business ethics of Thailand, with its monopolies, cartels, isolationism and screwing any foreign partner, just doesn't fit in with the concept of free-trade and fair competition. The idea of a "level playing field" is just beyond their comprehension.

[drdoom6996]

The writer says that there "seems" to a lack of Thai preparation. That's Thai style. Also the writer states that Thais have "squandered' opportunity. Another Thai characteristic.

But by then Thailand will be the hub of all hubs. This is the HUB OF STUPIDITY.

[MILT]

I was waiting for them to name the advantages

----------------

Just for one advantage ...... geography.

Thailand is centrally located among the area of AEC members.

Now if Thailand were to make wise use of that geographical location it could take advantage of its location by building a first class transportation network (including rail transportation) for the transportation of goods across Thailand by other AEC members. That would be a profitable business for Thai companies to follow.

But note carefully the terms I used here in this post.

I said "wise use" and "first class transportation network".

I. personally. don't think such a thing will come about in Thailand, at least not without some hard decisions being made by the government.

But you asked for an advantage Thailand has in the AEC ..... and there's no doubt that Thailand does have an advantage in it's geographical location..

Which has absolutely NOTHING to do with the political slant that the article puts on the issue. As for geographic advantages, it has some, but whenever Burma gets around to building it's deep sea port which isn't likely to be at Dawei, then the gerographical benefits drop massively because sea shipping will be quicker from that side of the region. Most large container shipping has to be transhipped in Singapore anyway. I wouldn't overplay the instant benefits of being a transport hub in Thailand. We just had a train drop off the line at 40km/h and have just found out that half the tour buses are built illegally. As for the roads, well, there are some good one's, but an awful lot of shocking one's too.

THailand has an advantage as a thouroughfare for Chinese goods. That's not going to bring enormous direct benfits to Thailand.

Both are great arguments. Burma is a major contender to gain growth in 2015. But again this depends on how Burma structures it's foriegn investment plans and how much it will gain in losing it's nationalism. Thailand as well is crippled by it's nationalistic mind set. This could be great for business and growth and quite devastating for all the different cultures in SEA. SEA will have a very different landscape after 2015.

[Thai at Heart]

I was waiting for them to name the advantages

----------------

Just for one advantage ...... geography.

Thailand is centrally located among the area of AEC members.

Now if Thailand were to make wise use of that geographical location it could take advantage of its location by building a first class transportation network (including rail transportation) for the transportation of goods across Thailand by other AEC members. That would be a profitable business for Thai companies to follow.

But note carefully the terms I used here in this post.

I said "wise use" and "first class transportation network".

I. personally. don't think such a thing will come about in Thailand, at least not without some hard decisions being made by the government.

But you asked for an advantage Thailand has in the AEC ..... and there's no doubt that Thailand does have an advantage in it's geographical location..

Which has absolutely NOTHING to do with the political slant that the article puts on the issue. As for geographic advantages, it has some, but whenever Burma gets around to building it's deep sea port which isn't likely to be at Dawei, then the gerographical benefits drop massively because sea shipping will be quicker from that side of the region. Most large container shipping has to be transhipped in Singapore anyway. I wouldn't overplay the instant benefits of being a transport hub in Thailand. We just had a train drop off the line at 40km/h and have just found out that half the tour buses are built illegally. As for the roads, well, there are some good one's, but an awful lot of shocking one's too.

THailand has an advantage as a thouroughfare for Chinese goods. That's not going to bring enormous direct benfits to Thailand.

Both are great arguments. Burma is a major contender to gain growth in 2015. But again this depends on how Burma structures it's foriegn investment plans and how much it will gain in losing it's nationalism. Thailand as well is crippled by it's nationalistic mind set. This could be great for business and growth and quite devastating for all the different cultures in SEA. SEA will have a very different landscape after 2015.

I really wouldn't underestimate how quickly Burman can grow and there are a couple of major reasons why.

a. Oil and Gas. This can contribute massively and quickly to economic development in Burma, and every international oil organisation wants a bit of the pie.

b. China. China desperately wants a shipping exit for it's products on that side of the Asean community. Why are they bothering to talk about train lines, and the such. And when China puts its mind to something, it moves very fast.

c. Politics. The government there doesn't care about its people and the consequences of its actions. They can fast track anything they want, and with enough money and people thrown at anything, stuff gets done. Just look at the provincial Chinese city scape. Unrecognisable from 10 years ago.

I am not a doomsayer believing that Thailand will fall in a heap and Burma will usurp it, it is just that Burma is primed to absolutely explode because so many people want to get in there and take advantage of it's geography and resources. Various bits and bobs of industry will start coming to completion in the next few years, and then it will create wealth for the people, and stuff will move along very rapidly in terms of growth because it is coming from such a low start. But, I can easily forsee that 10+% GDP growth is possible in Burma for a very long time. It has the natural exit point to that side of the ocean, and this is vital in saving time and money when shipping to the West.

Where Thailand fits into this, I don't know, just look at the East West Highway concept. They are trying to force traffic to go towards Daiwei, when it doesn't have support from the major investment players, Japan etc. It's all very nice for Thailand to want to be in the box seat by building Daiwei, but it may end up being a road to nowhere. Just because it can make ItalThai and its cohorts a bloody fortune, doesn't mean everyone will just bow to the will of Thailand.

http://www.irrawaddy.org/archives/36547

[pb1936]

Thailand is handicapped by " Thainess " which may become it's downfall.

[trainman34014]

One sentence says it all......''Thailand is heading in the opposite direction''

[Neilly]

It's hard to predict what lies in store for the more than 60 million Thais as long as the Kingdom is prevented from moving forward by a small group of self-centred people, who insist on campaigning for their own interests.

[worgeordie]

I thought Thailand was the Capital of the AEC ,at least thats what they keep

saying on Channel 3, don't know what the other would be members would

think of that.

regards Worgeordie

[phantomfiddler]

I don't see Thailand as every really joining the AEC. It is just too stuck on itself. It would have to dump a lot of obstructions that it considers sacred. I think it will continue to see itself as The Hub, and get bypassed.

This place is going to crash, and they will have no-one to blame but themselves. There is no way they are going to give workers from adjacent countries the opportunity to work here, since this would make the thai inadequacies blatantly obvious. They live in their own little safety buffer, thinking they are the center of the world, yet they can,t even tell you where America (or even Thailand) is on a world map. The word "ostriches" comes to mind.

[MichelBangkok]

Sadly, the entire business ethics of Thailand, with its monopolies, cartels, isolationism and screwing any foreign partner, just doesn't fit in with the concept of free-trade and fair competition. The idea of a "level playing field" is just beyond their comprehension.

So True ! All of it...

[belg]

you only have to look

at home many coups there were (let's say, only the last 50 years)

in countries like : singapore, malaysia, vietnam, cambodia ...

nr 1 = thailand, hub of coups

[simple1]

Regarding Thailands preparedness for AEC in 2016, some interesting points raised by Chaschat Sittipunt - Transport Minister on Thailands current rankings. He also claimed that Thailand had lost 1.7 trillon baht in lost opportunities and other costs in the past ten years, that is nearly equal to Thailand's annual government spending budget

Regional competiveness ranking for infrastucture (global ranking):

Singapore - ranked 2nd worldwide

Malaysia - ranked 29th worldwide

Thailand - ranked 49th worldwide

In the past two years:

Rail - declined to 65th, from 57th

Roads - declined to 39th, from 36th

Ports - declined to 56th, from 43th

Airports - declined to 33rd, from 28th

Foreign direct investment:

Fourth in Asean, last year Malaysia attracted US$10 billion, 17% more than Thailand

Edited July 31, 2013 by simple1

[Bokchoi]

Take away the beaches, prostitution and cheap labor and Thailand resides at the arse end of Asia.....almost like a Nigeria - a land of no tomorrows. As for location there are 3 "newies" in the same locale and powering forward ie: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia. They offer beaches & cheap labor + English language skills for cross-border business. Thailand is safe with its prostitution industry. None of the others have a wish to compete.

[SparklingCascades]

As part-Thai I can say that the 3 biggest disadvantages for Thailand come 2015 and the AEC are :

- Thai's are easily offended and so often cannot see the wood from trees. Saving face is more important than saving money or even saving lives,

- Poorest English language skills in Asia. Easier to take on Burmese migrants or Cambodians who speak better English than my countrymen.

- Deeply ingrained corruption at all levels of our society. Business must pay tea money for every little thing. shame.

None of our AEC partners carry all 3 baggage-classes; maybe one or at the max two.