New Thai PM: Business lobbies hail rise of Prayuth

[webfact]

NEW PM
Business lobbies hail rise of Prayuth
Business Reporters
The Nation


General Prayuth Chan-ocha

BANGKOK: -- Business representatives say they are confident that the new prime minister, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, will drive the country's economic growth.

Vallop Vitanakorn, vice chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, said yesterday that the junta chief was suitable for the position of prime minister and his new post would help speed up the National Council for Peace and Order's national reform effort along with restoring foreign confidence in the country.

He said the appointment of the new PM would improve governance, boost investment, and support the recovery of the tourism industry, since Prayuth would be working with a new cabinet to continue with the national reform effort. He is also expected to implement measures to stimulate the economy as proposed by the private sector.

Vallop said the 2015 budget bill would be the top priority of the new cabinet and it should pass the second and third readings with ease, which should help stimulate the economy through the expected increase in investment.

Boonsithi Chokwatana, chairman of the Saha Group, said he wanted the new government and prime minister to make exports a priority concern. The economy has not recovered yet and the new government should first promote a strong export sector and keep the currency more stable, albeit a bit weaker.

He said that at the time the junta seized power on May 22, the baht was trading at 32.9 against the US dollar. However, it has been getting stronger, now around 32.1.

"I would like to urge the new government to keep the currency depreciated to boost exports, especially for agricultural products, so that local farmers and grass-roots people will benefit the most. The government also should monitor the currencies of neighbouring countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, China, India and Japan on a daily basis and balance our currency with theirs," he said.

Isara Vongkusoljit, a member of the National Legislative Assembly and chairman of the Board of Trade of Thailand and Thai Chamber of Commerce, claimed the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce had supported Prayuth becoming prime minister. Thailand now wants a strong leader and a person who will bring about change after facing many problems and a lack of discipline for a while.

As a priority task, Isara said he wanted to see the new prime minister continue to drive the country's economic growth. Within a suitable period, he called for the cancellation of martial law in some provinces in order to promote tourism.

Asked about expectations for economic ministers in the new cabinet, Isara said private enterprises expected people with a good understanding of economic issues who could support growth.

Piyaman Tejabaipul, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), called for Prayuth and his team to outline a strategic long-term plan to boost the country's strength and to keep the Kingdom on the world map.

"The private sector needs to see a complete mission and action plan, not just for the short term but also long-term," she said.

The TCT believes that tourism revenue could account for up to 15 per cent of gross domestic product within the next four years while annual international arrivals should reach 40 million.

The council also called for the new government to translate strategic plans proposed earlier into action plans. These included demolishing illegal hotels and accommodations, building more infrastructure and improving accessibility, and enhancing local people's skills.

Banthoon Lamsam, chairman and chief executive officer of Kasikornbank, said the prime minister had many agendas and each one faced high expectations from the public. However, the challenge for the prime minister was how to push growth and create wealth for the economy.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Business-lobbies-hail-rise-of-Prayuth-30241482.html


-- The Nation 2014-08-22

[hansgruber]

Ah yes, the sycophants lining up for a slice.

[BSJ]

Well getting along with the guy that's in charge isn't such a bad idea.

[Robby nz]

Ah yes, the sycophants lining up for a slice.

So you reckon Govts should do nothing about stimulating the economy, just let it stagnate ?

Or do you believe private enterprise is quite capable of running the economy without any Govt input ?

[smedly]

Ah yes, the sycophants lining up for a slice.

so are you suggesting the new PM is corrupt ? sounds like it to me

I personally think he is flawless

[JoePai]

For heavens sake he is only a squaddie when all said and done !

[CiaranO]

Ah yes, the sycophants lining up for a slice.

so are you suggesting the new PM is corrupt ? sounds like it to me

I personally think he is flawless

No one is flawless lets that straight.

Lets see how this all bears out next year when he is meant to relinquish power and go back to an elected government.

[Scott]

Posts critical of the coup and the current gov't have been deleted. Such comments are not permitted at this time.

[timber]

Industry and business needs to be monitored. The United States is a good example of private enterprises getting out of control. The monitoring has to be monitored from a practical sense and not an arrogant corrupt bureaucracy. Practical people independent of politicians that represent the best interests of the people and private enterprise. Not easy.

[mrtoad]

Whatever peoples feelings on the coup are, The General has so fr managed to do more in a couple of months, than has happened in the past 10 years. He's not flawless, no one is, but he's done a decent enough job of getting some stability back into the country, and that is a beginning.

[Pinot]

Whatever peoples feelings on the coup are, The General has so fr managed to do more in a couple of months, than has happened in the past 10 years. He's not flawless, no one is, but he's done a decent enough job of getting some stability back into the country, and that is a beginning.

I agree. What the Generals have done in Phuket with the beaches and Taxis is a miracle. I'm for this guy because he's produced results. Now he's going to be PM. I'm wary and hopeful.

[rickirs]

"I would like to urge the new government to keep the currency depreciated to boost exports."

With unrestrained government loans for things like the rice and rubber industries, increased budgets for the military and civil servants, increased household debt and defaults, fuel subsidies, etc., further deflation of the baht should be a no-brainer towards the end of 2014 and into 2015. Mission Accomplished.

Of course there is a converse to a deflated baht. Domestic prices rise due to shortage of imported products, imported products become more expensive, domestic debt becomes more costly as interest rates rise, employment related to imports drops, etc. Unless Thailand creates a dual currency system like China, it needs to maintain a careful balance between its domestic and international markets. And that will mean restraining a depreciated currency just to boost exports.

[taony]

He's got a fan club full of hotties in the back

[Alwyn]

"BANGKOK: -- Business representatives say they are confident that the new prime minister, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, will drive the country's economic growth." Of course they say that, it's still illegal to crticize the Junta - and of course, rather say nothing come out with praise and hopefully get on the Christmas card list when "government" contracts are out for tender...

[Robby nz]

"I would like to urge the new government to keep the currency depreciated to boost exports."

With unrestrained government loans for things like the rice and rubber industries, increased budgets for the military and civil servants, increased household debt and defaults, fuel subsidies, etc., further deflation of the baht should be a no-brainer towards the end of 2014 and into 2015. Mission Accomplished.

Of course there is a converse to a deflated baht. Domestic prices rise due to shortage of imported products, imported products become more expensive, domestic debt becomes more costly as interest rates rise, employment related to imports drops, etc. Unless Thailand creates a dual currency system like China, it needs to maintain a careful balance between its domestic and international markets. And that will mean restraining a depreciated currency just to boost exports.

Do you really believe he will continue with these same policies of the Yingluck Government ?

Personally I tend to think that the team he will put together will have more common sense and of course they will not be focused on amnesty for the previous years corruption and crime.

[englishoak]

Should'nt that be Heil rather than Hail ?

Nothing has changed in the slightest only Prayuths title on paper... and the business community know it

[renaissanc]

Ah yes, the sycophants lining up for a slice.

Perhaps there's good reason for this. A leader with integrity is a far cry from Thaksin's cronies since he got involved in politics. Would you really like to see the mega-corrupt Pheu Thai with the super-mega-corrupt Thaksin pulling the strings again, perhaps also with a relation acting as his clone?

[slipperylobster]

As opposition is not allowed, this is going to be a very dull thread. I do see him as a means to improve the country....but at a great cost.

[JAG]

For heavens sake he is only a squaddie when all said and done !

Worse, he's a Guardsman!

[mikemac]

Whatever peoples feelings on the coup are, The General has so fr managed to do more in a couple of months, than has happened in the past 10 years. He's not flawless, no one is, but he's done a decent enough job of getting some stability back into the country, and that is a beginning.

You don't have to tell "us" toady, we can see what a good job he is doing and the results are there for all to see (if you want to see them, that is)

But you are wasting your time telling "them", because "they" are either not too bright, trolls, or are paid to post their stupid pro-red comments.

They can say what they like about the General, but at least he is not a criminal on the run who cannot/will not return to his own country for fear of being locked up.

At the end of the day nobody really cares what we think about the political affairs of Thailand, but the people who do matter, the people of Thailand, are seeing a vast improvement since the General took control, and they like what they see. Except the Thai Rouge of course, who lost their gravy train.

[mikemac]

I had to look up the word "sycophant" in the dictionary. I found it the ideal word to describe most of the hogs at the PTP trough !

yes-man, bootlicker, brown-noser, toady, lickspittle, flatterer, flunky, lackey, spaniel, doormat, stooge, cringer, suck, suck-up

Thanks for introducing that word to me, I will be using it on a regular basis from now on.

[ginjag]

Whatever peoples feelings on the coup are, The General has so fr managed to do more in a couple of months, than has happened in the past 10 years. He's not flawless, no one is, but he's done a decent enough job of getting some stability back into the country, and that is a beginning.

You don't have to tell "us" toady, we can see what a good job he is doing and the results are there for all to see (if you want to see them, that is)

But you are wasting your time telling "them", because "they" are either not too bright, trolls, or are paid to post their stupid pro-red comments.

They can say what they like about the General, but at least he is not a criminal on the run who cannot/will not return to his own country for fear of being locked up.

At the end of the day nobody really cares what we think about the political affairs of Thailand, but the people who do matter, the people of Thailand, are seeing a vast improvement since the General took control, and they like what they see. Except the Thai Rouge of course, who lost their gravy train.

We had today someone from the UK saying all the people he knows 10% are for the army and 90% are against. could that be what we call propaganda ? problem MM is what you said and I back that up, there are people here that are on for disruptive purposes, rather than individual posts.

Granted we share the same views BUT we post on TVF our views more than the selected few who wait for posters to post first then POUNCE.

Another observation is few of these we talk about go on to post opinions on accidents-tourism-Phuket taxi-TAT as we do. I understand there is no rule that you have to vary your post but the norm is to do it.

[Cthulhu]

Whatever peoples feelings on the coup are, The General has so fr managed to do more in a couple of months, than has happened in the past 10 years. He's not flawless, no one is, but he's done a decent enough job of getting some stability back into the country, and that is a beginning.

You don't have to tell "us" toady, we can see what a good job he is doing and the results are there for all to see (if you want to see them, that is)

But you are wasting your time telling "them", because "they" are either not too bright, trolls, or are paid to post their stupid pro-red comments.

They can say what they like about the General, but at least he is not a criminal on the run who cannot/will not return to his own country for fear of being locked up.

At the end of the day nobody really cares what we think about the political affairs of Thailand, but the people who do matter, the people of Thailand, are seeing a vast improvement since the General took control, and they like what they see. Except the Thai Rouge of course, who lost their gravy train.

How can you possibly know that? Have you conducted an independent survey where people can speak out without fear of the consequences?

No of course not; it's just another TV "sez you" type comment.

The Thais I talk to don't seem quite so overwhelmed with gratitude, but they do feel a need to watch what they say, at least in public.

However, I'm glad you now know what "sycophant" means and it's very appropriate you called the previous poster "toady". I was tempted to say the same in response his post.

[ginjag]

Whatever peoples feelings on the coup are, The General has so fr managed to do more in a couple of months, than has happened in the past 10 years. He's not flawless, no one is, but he's done a decent enough job of getting some stability back into the country, and that is a beginning.

You don't have to tell "us" toady, we can see what a good job he is doing and the results are there for all to see (if you want to see them, that is)

But you are wasting your time telling "them", because "they" are either not too bright, trolls, or are paid to post their stupid pro-red comments.

They can say what they like about the General, but at least he is not a criminal on the run who cannot/will not return to his own country for fear of being locked up.

At the end of the day nobody really cares what we think about the political affairs of Thailand, but the people who do matter, the people of Thailand, are seeing a vast improvement since the General took control, and they like what they see. Except the Thai Rouge of course, who lost their gravy train.

How can you possibly know that? Have you conducted an independent survey where people can speak out without fear of the consequences?

No of course not; it's just another TV "sez you" type comment.

The Thais I talk to don't seem quite so overwhelmed with gratitude, but they do feel a need to watch what they say, at least in public.

However, I'm glad you now know what "sycophant" means and it's very appropriate you called the previous poster "toady". I was tempted to say the same in response his post.

Few posts and a world of experience.

Your 4th line, had you lived here for over 30 years it has always been this way, more so in Issan red controlled areas. Didn't you know ??? did you think it was new now, because you were told that. ??

[mikemac]

Whatever peoples feelings on the coup are, The General has so fr managed to do more in a couple of months, than has happened in the past 10 years. He's not flawless, no one is, but he's done a decent enough job of getting some stability back into the country, and that is a beginning.

You don't have to tell "us" toady, we can see what a good job he is doing and the results are there for all to see (if you want to see them, that is)

But you are wasting your time telling "them", because "they" are either not too bright, trolls, or are paid to post their stupid pro-red comments.

They can say what they like about the General, but at least he is not a criminal on the run who cannot/will not return to his own country for fear of being locked up.

At the end of the day nobody really cares what we think about the political affairs of Thailand, but the people who do matter, the people of Thailand, are seeing a vast improvement since the General took control, and they like what they see. Except the Thai Rouge of course, who lost their gravy train.

How can you possibly know that? Have you conducted an independent survey where people can speak out without fear of the consequences?

No of course not; it's just another TV "sez you" type comment.

The Thais I talk to don't seem quite so overwhelmed with gratitude, but they do feel a need to watch what they say, at least in public.

However, I'm glad you now know what "sycophant" means and it's very appropriate you called the previous poster "toady". I was tempted to say the same in response his post.

Thanks for the laugh, I needed that.

And yes, I did conduct an independent survey where people can speak out without fear of the consequences. I asked my wife, many members of her large family, both in Surin and Udon Thani, many of her Thai friends and mine, and quite a lot of Thai people I have been doing business with in Chiang Mai for the past seven or eight years.

I did not ask any foreigners, but on average the opinions of posters on TVF show that there are far more pro-junta than anti-junta. But then again the anti-junta mob have been told to "pull their heads in".

[Mudcrab]

He's got a fan club full of hotties in the back

the one of the left is yours

[mikemac]

He's got a fan club full of hotties in the back

the one of the left is yours

You mean the big ol' healthy girl looking at the General all goo-goo eyed ? OK, he can have her.

[MobileContent]

Tourism companies in fact start liking Gen Prayuth for his clean up in Phuket and bookings for December 2014 (peak season) are fully booked in Phuket including flights to Phuket from Germany.

Illegal casinos are still operating in the same way they did before and the payoff's in Sakon Nakhon are higher, compared to pre-coup.

Now that the Kingdom has a new PM, I would like to see what reforms will be implemented.