Analysts from various sides give an overall assessment of the Thai economy

BANGKOK, 9 October 2014 (NNT) – Key analysts at various banks, financial institutions, and private companies have expressed their opinions regarding the direction of the Thai economy.

Members of the private sector gave a general assessment of the Thai economy, saying that it would grow by 1.5 percent or higher and advised the government to focus on investing in mega-infrastructure projects in order to boost the competitiveness of the private sector.

In a public discussion about the Thai economy in 2014, the Bangkok Bank’s Executive Vice President Kobsak Pootrakul stated that the Thai economy has recovered at a pace slower than expected.

According to Mr. Kobsak, the middle- and low-income earners were still facing household debt problems and this has reduced consumer spending as a result. Even though investment has started to recover, there are still no clear signs that investors are interested in Thai stocks and bonds.

Meanwhile, the Stock Exchange of Thailand Executive Vice-President Mr. Pakorn Peetathawatchai has advised the government to focus on investments in mega infrastructure projects and resolve the problems of labor shortages in various industries.

92 percent of CEOs in SET-listed companies also believe that the Thai economy would see a positive recovery in the next 6 months. However, a majority of them have expressed their worries against Thailand’s increasing levels of household debts and the higher costs of capital for business owners.


-- NNT 2014-10-09

Or...http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2014/10/thailands-economy

The country needs to rely less on mega projects funded by debt and more on being noted as a safe and stable country with investor friendly policies such as Singapore and Hong Kong. To the point where were the foreign investors in this forum giving their point of view? Perhaps they were not invited.

Lets see if the 92% of positive thinkers are correct in 6 months time.

Agreed. A somewhat shallow and short-term analysis (or the reporting on it) from the 'various sides'.

Ten were queried -- eight gave it a thumbs down, 1, literally, died laughing and the 10 th went for a walk in the ocean --- to Singapore !

"92 percent of CEOs in SET-listed companies also believe that the Thai economy would see a positive recovery in the next 6 months."

Looking at recent history of the SET Index, it seems to be very healthy. Why would the CEOs expect to see a positive recovery in 6 months when it is already happening? But maybe it shouldn't be happening and there's something else in play that's not very transparent.