Thailand Is Only the Tip of Asia's Iceberg

[webfact]

Thailand Is Only the Tip of Asia's Iceberg
By William Pesek

TOKYO: -- Rather than add my voice to the chorus pointing out how much damage ongoing protests are doing to Thailand’s economy, I’m tempted to skip ahead and write its obituary. Cause of death: suicide.

What else is there to say about the semi-permanent state of emergency and political gridlock in Bangkok? Sooner or later, foreign companies are going to start voting with their feet, as Kyoichi Tanada, president of Toyota Motor Corp.’s Thai unit, warned this week. Tourists fearing canceled flights and the odd bomb explosion are going to stop filling the beaches. Neighboring countries are going to look for other solutions to their logistical and infrastructure needs.

In their give-no-quarter battle for supremacy, Thai politicians aren’t just making Democrats and Republicans in Washington seem reasonable: They are also destroying the country’s potential.

Scarily, though, the region may have an even bigger problem to worry about. The circuslike dysfunction in Bangkok is unique. The weaknesses being exposed there are not. From Thailand to Indonesia to Malaysia -- even as far as India -- Asian nations are displaying an extremely worrying set of shared vulnerabilities. [read more...]

Full story: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-01-23/thailand-is-only-the-tip-of-asia-s-iceberg.html

-- Bloomberg 2014-01-24

[soi41]

All according to Big Brother...Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[rideride]

Two different topics.
1. Political Instability hurting economy
2. weak economical leadership

Point 1 is appears to be simply the pitch for point 2 and, as some may point out, may even contradict point 2.
Political stability is desirerable, but I hate when democracy is being played off against against prosperity.
Toyota can insinuate all day long...

[kurtgruen]

"as the Bernanke bubble deflates", so will the American economy, which only has two ways to go...either they keep printing money, until people will need a wheelbarrow full of it, to buy a loaf of bread (like in Nazi Germany), or they are heading for a major deflation and depression.

Maybe, they should look at their own problems, because I think SE Asia, will still be around, long after the "American Empire" falls

[chainarong]

Doing business in Asia per say is difficult and with a certain amount of danger either with corruption or political intrigue , some area's are no-go area's , Thailand is now on a slow downward spiral , unless this hate and public disobedience is brought under control with mature dialog , all brought about by the shadow man in Dubai, marvellous what one person can do in a life time.

[diceq]

Two different topics.

1. Political Instability hurting economy

2. weak economical leadership

Point 1 is appears to be simply the pitch for point 2 and, as some may point out, may even contradict point 2.

Political stability is desirerable, but I hate when democracy is being played off against against prosperity.

Toyota can insinuate all day long...

A weak economic leadership is better than political instability. He is right, the Thai economy will suffer greatly if this continues. The fascist yellow shirts have to learn how to respect democratic decisions, or else things are not going to end well.

[rideride]

A weak economic leadership is better than political instability. He is right, the Thai economy will suffer greatly if this continues. The fascist yellow shirts have to learn how to respect democratic decisions, or else things are not going to end well.

Of course it affects the economy.

And measures such as occupying the stock market or the aviation agency are jut plain stupid in this context.

But what we see is a sizable support for these demonstrations which again take place in a complex social and political enviroment.

You can call them fascist - but apparently they want to fight it out.

The point is to favour this dialogue over eternal economical obediance and let things mature from inside.

Edited January 24, 2014 by rideride

[CelticBhoy]

Thailand Is Only the Tip of Asia's Iceberg

Although many actually believe it is becoming the arse-end.

[otto69]

Who is William Pesak?

He knows nothing about Thailand. Shame on Bloomberg who carries his article.

This Pesak is writing from Tokyo. He should rather concentrate on Japan who is is still in dire straits.

[onewhowalkswithbuffalo]

Who is William Pesak?

He knows nothing about Thailand. Shame on Bloomberg who carries his article.

This Pesak is writing from Tokyo. He should rather concentrate on Japan who is is still in dire straits.

I am sure he is saying the exact same thing about you, so am I for that matter.

As for the article; no shit sherlock !

[Roadman]

Two different topics.

1. Political Instability hurting economy

2. weak economical leadership

Point 1 is appears to be simply the pitch for point 2 and, as some may point out, may even contradict point 2.

Political stability is desirerable, but I hate when democracy is being played off against against prosperity.

Toyota can insinuate all day long...

A weak economic leadership is better than political instability. He is right, the Thai economy will suffer greatly if this continues. The fascist yellow shirts have to learn how to respect democratic decisions, or else things are not going to end well.

The fascist yellow shirts have to learn to respect democratic decisions?...you mean like the constitution, the law, the courts, just for a start...I thought the current and only caretaker government was Red to the core. Although the way they are being battered on most fronts the core support is probably also having a guts full with their lies and deceit and are probably going white...just like the rice, now how could one forget the NCCA on the trail of Thaksies puppet. Just and well deserved.

[Ragzilb]

Pointing fingers is all what is going on in here, but the matter of the fact is that something is brewing in the whole world.

Some say financial collapse, some say environment, others say bubbles, some even goes as to say WW3.

The Main problem is no one actually cares anymore, all the politicians are dictating laws and rules over everybodys head now a days, NDAA, ACTA, SOPA. and most of there laws are akready in Place, just look at Agenda 21, Bad business and I thought when I saw the case 8 years ago was a joke. But look at it now, Every country has a Agenda 21 (Just google it "Agenda "Country or City name") or Sustainable Development, What a good name for something which looks and smells like crap. Well I dont know but I just hope we are not heading for any of the above problems. PEace to everybody Brothers and Sisters, Mothers and Farthers. .

[Thai at Heart]

Doing business in Asia per say is difficult and with a certain amount of danger either with corruption or political intrigue , some area's are no-go area's , Thailand is now on a slow downward spiral , unless this hate and public disobedience is brought under control with mature dialog , all brought about by the shadow man in Dubai, marvellous what one person can do in a life time.

This is the problem. Little seems to be improving in thailand. Corruption, education, legal system, logistics, etc

Then throw in political instability and protests with their own natural disaster every now and again.

Golf and UV lights. It has its benefits I suppose.

[Spalpeen]

A weak economic leadership is better than political instability. He is right, the Thai economy will suffer greatly if this continues. The fascist yellow shirts have to learn how to respect democratic decisions, or else things are not going to end well.

.

It's the ever present threat of a coup that suppresses the development of real democracy in Thailand. That's the reason that the main opposition party don't feel the need to take part in elections. I never cease to be amazed that there are people who believe that Suthep and his fascist backers would do a better job of running the country. That's just delusional.

Thailand will never be an example of good governance, but at least with democracy the people get to express their view every four years. What's needed is a democratically elected government with the will to pull the military into line.

[oldthaihand99]

"Tourists fearing canceled flights and the odd bomb explosion are going to stop filling the beaches."

Suthep will love this. He hates foreigners.

[metisdead]

A post containing German language has been removed. This is an English language forum, English is the only acceptable language, except of course in the Thai language forum where Thai is allowed.

[Sunisalom]

Thailand Is Only the Tip of Asia's Iceberg

It's called being collectivistic, as opposed to individualistic.

However, the thick b'stards think being individualistic means not caring about family.

Is there an uncorrupt psychologist in Thailand? 5555+

Edited January 24, 2014 by Sunisalom

[Thai at Heart]

A weak economic leadership is better than political instability. He is right, the Thai economy will suffer greatly if this continues. The fascist yellow shirts have to learn how to respect democratic decisions, or else things are not going to end well.

.

It's the ever present threat of a coup that suppresses the development of real democracy in Thailand. That's the reason that the main opposition party don't feel the need to take part in elections. I never cease to be amazed that there are people who believe that Suthep and his fascist backers would do a better job of running the country. That's just delusional.

Thailand will never be an example of good governance, but at least with democracy the people get to express their view every four years. What's needed is a democratically elected government with the will to pull the military into line.

Part of the problem is that what brought thailand growth through the 80s doesn't work anymore. But the old industrial groups still hold massive sway with the democrats. Their rose tints want the world and thailand to stay the way it was, but it isn't going to work.

[icare999]

nonsense Thailand has lived through all this many times and while it might bring short term downturn in its growth nothing will stop its long term future. The Reason is quite simple its controlled by a number of This Chinese families of immense power and wealth. Although Taksin is part of that group unlike others he wants more than just wealth and influence he wants total absolute control and power. He might win odd battle but in end Thialand was sold long ago to chinese and Thais don't mind unlike in Indonesia and rest of Asia they are quite happy for Thai chinese to run aloo business's and leave most of them to simply enjoy the benefits. Most pure or non chinese thais simply are not interested or up to matching chinese in hard work business acumin and rest and maybe they are real clever ones. They are by no means stupid but many are very lazy and would rather earn half and relax and go fishing than go all out for money. Their are exceptions but in 30+ years here I've been through all this before and each time people predict downfall of Thailand.It also suits chinese (I mean those n china and not This chinese) to have a western base and so they will keep investing and gaining more and more.

Taksin simply went to far and will be brought down or if he wins it will be because he has paid for an all out civil war but baring him being successful in doing that in 1-2 years all this will be forgotten and Thailand will have a non Taksin government .

And don't expect red thirst to do much provided the army are against Taksin and them it might get messy and even bloody but Thais are mostly cowards and red shirts will simply run same as their cowardly boss.

Wait and see although it is not impossible for Taksin to win its highly unlikely and if he does you can say goodbye for a long time to any form of democracy here.

AS usual in end it will be the poor who suffer most and sadly they are so uneducated and susceptible to brainwashing from someone like Taksin that they wont see it until its far to late.

Only possible hope is young who while still mostly obeying their parents and therefore following Taksin their is building enough from his heartland to start questioning and start understanding Taksin could not give a shit about them

[Briggsy]

Some of the comments over there at Bloomberg's website make Thaivisa posters look very well-informed and balanced.

[Publicus]

"as the Bernanke bubble deflates", so will the American economy, which only has two ways to go...either they keep printing money, until people will need a wheelbarrow full of it, to buy a loaf of bread (like in Nazi Germany), or they are heading for a major deflation and depression.

Maybe, they should look at their own problems, because I think SE Asia, will still be around, long after the "American Empire" falls

The Fed is one component of an ongoing process of democratic renewal, regeneration and revitalization within a vibrant constitutional system that has always enabled the United States to transform its imperfect self continually and peacefully, i.e., institutionally - past, present, future.

Thailand does not have that capacity or capability - Thailand expands and grows but it does not bend or regenerate itself socioeconomically, culturally, institutionally.

Thailand is in the process of breaking as the winds of change both externally and internally become increasingly greater and more challenging and as the inflexible feudal elites here only stiffen their resistance to rapidly changing socioeconomics and to the concomitant demand to revitalize the society's politics and government.

Thailand remains a mish-mash of feudalism and of feudal elites who morphed an entire army into their own private domestic instrument that enforces their exclusive and self-serving interests, systems, institutions. This is no longer viable and in the face of popular demand it is nearing its breaking point.

[hansnl]

Two different topics.

1. Political Instability hurting economy

2. weak economical leadership

Point 1 is appears to be simply the pitch for point 2 and, as some may point out, may even contradict point 2.

Political stability is desirerable, but I hate when democracy is being played off against against prosperity.

Toyota can insinuate all day long...

A weak economic leadership is better than political instability. He is right, the Thai economy will suffer greatly if this continues. The fascist yellow shirts have to learn how to respect democratic decisions, or else things are not going to end well.

As I seem to remember, fascists make it their busines to threaten people thinking different ideas?

Like the other side does shooting, bombing and threatening?

Does that not indicate who really are fascists?

Or maybe you have no idea what fascism is?

Democracy is NOT about casting your vote once in a while, and for the rest accept what is coming to you.

No way, democracy is an ongoing process, where the people have a right to interfere with the government if the people think it is needed!

And yes, that includes the people's representatives.

And, I do have afeeling that continuing with the government of this day the economy will suffer for a very long time to come.

While the protests will have a less devastating effect on the economy in the long run.

Stating the protests are bad for business?

Quite obvious, but also a typical example of shorttime thinking.

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

What is interesting about Asia is that many of the people are docile and passive.

What if large numbers of Asians decide to start protesting in various countries? That could get messy.

Fukushima has woken up some of the Japanese. Chinese in some pollution situations have been rioting.

I think that is what the author was alluding too.

What if many people wake up to the Kleptocrats?

Of course not just Asia but what a potential powder keg due to the numbers and poverty.

[Dogbarker]

Two different topics.

1. Political Instability hurting economy

2. weak economical leadership

Point 1 is appears to be simply the pitch for point 2 and, as some may point out, may even contradict point 2.

Political stability is desirerable, but I hate when democracy is being played off against against prosperity.

Toyota can insinuate all day long...

....................and still have their car showrooms and customers

[3NUMBAS]

the streetwalkers will always pull up the economy ,the unsung heros of many thai crashes should get medals for their endeavors

[bigbamboo]

Bloody hell, I know it's been cold but the tip of an iceberg?

[jollyman]

Thai's would have made great Kamakari pilots don't you think?

[blokker]

Who is William Pesak?

He knows nothing about Thailand. Shame on Bloomberg who carries his article.

This Pesak is writing from Tokyo. He should rather concentrate on Japan who is is still in dire straits.

Yeah, go write him a letter. He doesn't get Thainess and Asianess.

Or find a Thai doctor to write for you, like the one who wrote to Obama.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[geoman1976]

This is so true. Thaialnd has too much nationalism, not enough self awareness, not enough cultural awareness and acceptance for the rest of the world, and too much laziness for its own good. Western economics drive the global economy and Thaialnd is moving torwards economic isolation with the practices that the politicians and people alike particpate in. Anytime a Thai person hears something they don't like, their response is,"you don't understand Thai culture!" On the contrary, I understand, live it, and speak the language. Ihave never seen a country with so much prejudice and racism...they just thinki if you are farang you don't understand what they are saying. I hear all the time, everyday. The list goes on of cultural problems the country has that will swirl them into an economic suicide, especially with neighboring countries doing so much more to resolve their issues and open their doors to the West. Cambodia has a better English fluency rate (the official international business language) and cheaper labor with far less nationalism making them a much more attractive candidate for international investors and funding, even before the political strife. My best guess is the AEC will hurt Thailand more than help it with the direction, or misdirection I should say, that Thailand is headed in.

[Cricketnut]

"as the Bernanke bubble deflates", so will the American economy, which only has two ways to go...either they keep printing money, until people will need a wheelbarrow full of it, to buy a loaf of bread (like in Nazi Germany), or they are heading for a major deflation and depression.

Maybe, they should look at their own problems, because I think SE Asia, will still be around, long after the "American Empire" falls

Well have to eat humble pie Kurt, but I actually like this post of yours, only this one though

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