Ringing endorsement for Prayut government from the business sector

[webfact]

6 MONTHS AFTER THE COUP
Ringing endorsement for Prayut government from the business sector
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI,
ERICH PARPART
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE BUSINESS SECTOR has given the Prayut government a ringing endorsement for its economic performance over the six months since the May 22 coup.

But its has urged the government to activate a long-term economic stimulus plan and for state agencies to collaborate more.

Vallop Vitanakorn, vice chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, gave the government eight out of 10 for its handling of the economy because it had tried to introduce stimulus measures to help spur economic growth.

He said the federation and the private sector understood that was a difficult job given the sluggish world economy.

"I am satisfied with their economic performance despite the delay in the stimulus package, and the private sector understands that the delay was caused by the buying and hiring process because such a process requires transparency," he said.

"This government is trying to make it as transparent as they possibly can. The economy would have been worse if the government did not come up with any stimulus measures at all."

Vallop expects the buying and hiring process of the stimulus package will be done by December and real capital should enter the economy by the first quarter next year.

Pramon Sutivong, chairman to the Anti-Corruption Network, said he was very satisfied with government action against corruption.

He said the government had allowed representatives from the public sector to participate in meetings for deliberation on such things as budget spending and bidding for projects including the second phrase of Suvarnabhumi Airport, Blue Line's mass-transit electric train, and mass-transit buses.

For the government's anti-corruption policy, Pramon gave it eight or nine out of 10.

He said he expected to see the introduction of stringent laws against corruption with heavy penalties.

Agencies urged to collaborate

Prapas Tonpibulsak, chief investment officer of Krungsri Asset Management, gave the Prayut administration nine out of 10.

He said the government had focused more on economic structural change in the medium to long-term.

Pornsilp Patchrintanakul, vice chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, gave the government eight out of 10 for its overall performance. "I'm quite satisfied with the government for its effort to solve short-term problems and bring the country back to a normal situation after we've encountered a protracted political impasse," he said.

However, Pornsilp expects to see more promotional action economically in the long run.

Somkiat Anuras, vice chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said the private sector recognised the government was trying to solve the conflict while boosting the economy but was yet to see any serious collaboration among ministerial agencies.

"Each agency should closely collaborate with others to implement each policy," Somkiat said.

"The government should set a priority for introducing proposed laws in connection to business to attract more investment for the country."

Poj Aramwattanon, president to the Thai Frozen Foods Association, was also quite satisfied with the administration's economic performance.

But he wants to see more long-term economic stimulus plans, better cooperation among state agencies, and more efficiency plans to boost export growth amidst an uncertain global economy.

Thanavath Phonvichai, director to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce's Economic and Business Forecasting Centre, gave the government 7.5 for its overall performance.

Thanavath said the government's economic-stimulus plan was moving in the right direction amid difficult economic circumstances.

He commended the government for paying rice farmers overdue payments, introducing the Bt1,000 per rai scheme, and passing the 2015 fiscal budget.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Ringing-endorsement-for-Prayut-government-from-the-30248412.html


-- The Nation 2014-11-24

[thesetat2013]

So every couple of weeks we are going to be told how happy everyone is and the businesses? Surely this is political propoganda

[tullynagardy]

This is the same article as one saying there is "mixed feelings" over Prayuth, only altered to have a positive spin!

In truth there is not a single subjective and independent opinion in that article which relies on a couple of Prayuths lackys towing the party line. In reality foreign businesses are in despair at plans to limit foreign ownership, whilst figures point to a stagnating economy on the brink of recession with FDI in freefall.

I`m not quite sure who they hope to convince with this <deleted> to be perfectly honest. The squeeze on people pockets is not something you can hide with propaganda!

[aussieinthailand]

REALLY, ringing endorsement huh,

Well I guess anyone who has a restaurant or likes to cook at home wont be ringing that bell of endorsement after the gas has gone up.

but ok if you say so.

[rudolfvaselino]

So every couple of weeks we are going to be told how happy everyone is and the businesses? Surely this is political propoganda

And foreign businesses e.g. General Motors giving comments?

The PM made himself Chairman of the Board of Investment in May. I am eager to know if the brand new company which bought his father's land for over USD$50,000,000 is under the wings of BOI privileges. And what its activities are.

[siampolee]

The time scale before we are likely to see any positive or negative results will be a minimum of a year. Internally matters are pretty calm with a small number of anti government groups as was and is to be expected.

How this situation is handled will shape the future for all concerned i.e. the people of Thailand not just the current administration.

Current world economic situation plus the advent of ASEAN is going to be a catalyst regarding the future here as well as other countries in the region.

Time is needed to let matters develop, in my view the priorities should be getting Thailand back and up and running business wise and in a politically sound manner.

Then go after all of those irrespective of political hue or family connections etc who have conspired to steal as much as they could from Thailand and its peoples.

Change is always a difficult process loved and accepted by some, abhorred and unacceptable to others.

[Bluespunk]

'THE BUSINESS SECTOR has given the Prayut government a ringing endorsement for its economic performance over the six months since the May 22 coup.'

Ah yes, business, that bastion of democratic choice, freedom of expression and the right to protest. Poisoned chalice anyone?

[tullynagardy]

Then go after all of those irrespective of political hue or family connections etc who have conspired to steal as much as they could from Thailand and its peoples.

Quite difficult when the coup makers are the main culprits for this. Will they arrest themselves?

ps why are all coup supporters older British guys in Issan. Must be an old colonial thing

[HarryZelter]

So every couple of weeks we are going to be told how happy everyone is and the businesses? Surely this is political propoganda

Seems like every day, we are told all the news is BS without a shred of evidence or coherent example to counter the specific news.

[mikemac]

Then go after all of those irrespective of political hue or family connections etc who have conspired to steal as much as they could from Thailand and its peoples.

Quite difficult when the coup makers are the main culprits for this. Will they arrest themselves?

ps why are all coup supporters older British guys in Issan. Must be an old colonial thing

.............................."ps why are all coup supporters older British guys in Issan. Must be an old colonial thing"..............................

I thought there was a rule against posting blatant lies ????

[SABloke]

Then go after all of those irrespective of political hue or family connections etc who have conspired to steal as much as they could from Thailand and its peoples.

Quite difficult when the coup makers are the main culprits for this. Will they arrest themselves?

ps why are all coup supporters older British guys in Issan. Must be an old colonial thing

You met all the coup supporters!?! Wow....must've been an intetesting party.

[chainarong]

Wonder what planet we are all on , International companies wouldn't be to happy hearing that the rules and regulation on foreign ownership are to be tightened and more red tape envisaged , the feel good crowd are certainly working overtime and it is not always in the best interests of Thailand, I would be checking over the withdrawal plan if I was the chief of a large international company, that's my ringing endorsement.

[Felipesed]

Perhaps you corruption-supporting falang know more about the economy than the Thai business leaders questioned?

I think not.

The same old posters criticising anything this government does or says.

The previous administration is gone. Get over it and try to help the country improve.

Or leave, and stop filling up ThaiVisa with your negative, unhelpful comments.

[GAZZPA]

Oh please, what a load of old pony. This is manufactured, political nonsense at it's best, only to be believed by the most naive.

It's also incredibly childish, usually governments will measure economic performance by the "actual" performance of the countries economy, (which everyone knows is limping along at best), how childish is it to simply ask these senior officials to simply score the leader out of 10? What does he get now a gold star, a Happy meal in Macdonalds and a goody bag,, pathetic.

I think this country is heading for such a slide and no amount of press nonsense will hide the truth of the matter.

If they carry out the restrictions on foreign business ownership soon the economy will collapse, I am sure of it. Head for the hills folks,,,

[whybother]

So every couple of weeks we are going to be told how happy everyone is and the businesses? Surely this is political propoganda

And foreign businesses e.g. General Motors giving comments?

The PM made himself Chairman of the Board of Investment in May. I am eager to know if the brand new company which bought his father's land for over USD$50,000,000 is under the wings of BOI privileges. And what its activities are.

The now 18 month old company is basically Thai owned. It wouldn't be "under the wings of BOI privileges".

[doggie888888]

I have been very happy recently with the quality of ridiculous-ness coming out of the good general's mouth. With every cunning plan, the laugh-o-meter is getting a good workout.

[GAZZPA]

Perhaps you corruption-supporting falang know more about the economy than the Thai business leaders questioned?

I think not.

The same old posters criticising anything this government does or says.

The previous administration is gone. Get over it and try to help the country improve.

Or leave, and stop filling up ThaiVisa with your negative, unhelpful comments.

Don't know what you mean by corruption supporting falang,,, I certainly don't support it.

Anyway, are you happy with the tangible things in the press release? Oh wait, there are not any tangible things,, just very childish scores out of 10..

Do you not want to know what effect the stimulus has really had? Do you not want to know what effect the tax payers money has had on the economy now it has been spent? Is it 2% positive effect on the economy, 3%, more, less,,? Who knows.

If the government wants to make an official statement about how well the leader is doing then show some evidence of it to support the press release.. This is a very standard thing to do,, all other governments do this,, even businesses do this. For example, I cannot go to my boss and say every things going well.. the money company money I have spent is working, I give it 8 out of 10!! I would be laughed out of the meeting and looking for a new job.

So, get real please.. There are really big problems that need tackling in Thailand and I so want the government to get it right but statements like this don't help.

[NongKhaiKid]

Perhaps you corruption-supporting falang know more about the economy than the Thai business leaders questioned?

I think not.

The same old posters criticising anything this government does or says.

The previous administration is gone. Get over it and try to help the country improve.

Or leave, and stop filling up ThaiVisa with your negative, unhelpful comments.

You certainly are a supporter of this government.

You're not keen on free speech or criticism either.

[binjalin]

the 'business sector' stated "we are making even more money now from the population thank you junta"

[yellowboat]

Perhaps you corruption-supporting falang know more about the economy than the Thai business leaders questioned?

I think not.

The same old posters criticising anything this government does or says.

The previous administration is gone. Get over it and try to help the country improve.

Or leave, and stop filling up ThaiVisa with your negative, unhelpful comments.

We see shops closed. We hear our Thai friends complaning of lack of job opportunities. We see an enviroment where it is hard to be competitive with China and other parts of the world. For a select few, life is probably wonderful. If you are one of the few, congratulations.

[NongKhaiKid]

'THE BUSINESS SECTOR has given the Prayut government a ringing endorsement for its economic performance over the six months since the May 22 coup.'

Ah yes, business, that bastion of democratic choice, freedom of expression and the right to protest. Poisoned chalice anyone?

Nice Catch 22 for the business sector as even if they wanted to criticise it might not be good for their business health and saying nothing might be taken as implied criticism.

Safer to join in the ' ringing endorsement '

[Anthony5]

"I am satisfied with their economic performance despite the delay in the stimulus package, and the private sector understands that the delay was caused by the buying and hiring process because such a process requires transparency," he said.

Vallop expects the buying and hiring process of the stimulus package will be done by December and real capital should enter the economy by the first quarter next year.

It seems that Mr Vallop is not aware that the buying and hiring process is in full swing, but I doubt he has the following process in mind.

Wage hike for some, job loss for many others

BANGKOK: -- Pirach Chaunlakhon, 37, who had been contracted to work for a tambon administrative organisation in Udon Thani's Kumphawapi district for more than two years, suddenly found himself without a job earlier this month. Two of his colleagues also ended up facing the same fate.

"On November 3, the tambon clerk told us that our contracts would not be renewed, as the office was shouldering rising HR costs, which went against Article 35 of the Local Personnel Administration Regulation Act 1999," he said. "The news was so sudden that I didn't know how to prepare and meet my responsibilities, such as paying my two children's school fees or my ailing father's medical bills."

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778641-wage-hike-for-some-job-loss-for-many-others/

[Carrerakiss]

So every couple of weeks we are going to be told how happy everyone is and the businesses? Surely this is political propoganda

Seems like every day, we are told all the news is BS without a shred of evidence or coherent example to counter the specific news.

What you say is true. On the other hand, there not a shred of evidence or coherent example to support the specific news either.

During times of media censorship, it's important people make up their own minds based on what they personally see and experience. Anything else is likely smoke and mirrors.

[padeakin]

Then go after all of those irrespective of political hue or family connections etc who have conspired to steal as much as they could from Thailand and its peoples.

Quite difficult when the coup makers are the main culprits for this. Will they arrest themselves?

ps why are all coup supporters older British guys in Issan. Must be an old colonial thing

....why are all coup supporters older British guys in Issan. Must be an old colonial thing......

Not true, and quite insulting to the older British Guys in Issan who are proud of their history of standing up for, and fighting for democracy

Edited November 24, 2014 by padeakin

[Carrerakiss]

Perhaps you corruption-supporting falang know more about the economy than the Thai business leaders questioned?

I think not.

The same old posters criticising anything this government does or says.

The previous administration is gone. Get over it and try to help the country improve.

Or leave, and stop filling up ThaiVisa with your negative, unhelpful comments.

I see that you closely follow two policies of the Government:

Rule number 1. Only express positive opinions of the Government.

Rule number 2. If you can't follow Rule number 1, get out of Thailand.

Yup, you're a Government role model all right. But the bad news for you is that I'll post whatever I want, that conforms with TV rules.

Sorry to spoil your day

[hobz]

Great propaganda, i give it 2/10.

[MisterTee]

The time scale before we are likely to see any positive or negative results will be a minimum of a year. Internally matters are pretty calm with a small number of anti government groups as was and is to be expected.

How this situation is handled will shape the future for all concerned i.e. the people of Thailand not just the current administration.

Current world economic situation plus the advent of ASEAN is going to be a catalyst regarding the future here as well as other countries in the region.

Time is needed to let matters develop, in my view the priorities should be getting Thailand back and up and running business wise and in a politically sound manner.

Then go after all of those irrespective of political hue or family connections etc who have conspired to steal as much as they could from Thailand and its peoples.

Change is always a difficult process loved and accepted by some, abhorred and unacceptable to others.

Insightful post.

Laissez faire is the key word... for the present at least.

[ianf]

Perhaps you corruption-supporting falang know more about the economy than the Thai business leaders questioned?

I think not.

The same old posters criticising anything this government does or says.

The previous administration is gone. Get over it and try to help the country improve.

Or leave, and stop filling up ThaiVisa with your negative, unhelpful comments.

You certainly are a supporter of this government.

You're not keen on free speech or criticism either.

Did we have free speech under Thaksin? What happened if you criticized the reds? These thugs would be on to you like the plague. Off course they would - the available evidence is that they did not tolerate opposition. Thailand is walking a tightrope, of that there is no doubt. Thaksin is still out there wielding enormous power and using his billions to do exactly as he wants. The people of this country do not have a chance. Prayuth, is doing his best but he cannot win against a dominant culture which is xenophobic, protectionist and downright dishonest. To make changes in this country would take a lifetime because cultural attitudes would have to change enormously. Thailand has never been colonized, so unlike some of its neighbours it hasn't got a history of a different way of doing things or of a merged culture. Whether it's the General's regime or Thaksin's dictatorship the underlying problems will remain. The main difference is that Thaksin seeks a personal advantage whist Prayuth believes he is doing good. Personally I prefer the peace and stability brought to us by the General - however I do not believe this will last. Thaksin is plotting and in the end this arch manipulator and despot may have his way. Sadly. I say sadly, because in these situations the good and the poor, the dispossessed and those who can distinguish good from evil are always the ones that suffer.

Edited November 24, 2014 by ianf

[Dogmatix]

Heavens be praised. The bells are ringing with endorsement for the junta.

[djjamie]

When one looks at the Thai economic indicators which are NOT controlled by the Junta one could be forgiven for thinking the most popular PM in the last decade did not trigger a coup to stop the bloodshed of innocent people, did not trigger the coup to bring stability back to the country, but triggered it because he was watching the PTP flush the Thai economy down the drain.

The SET has been going up quicker that a rock climber on yaba. The business confidence, consumer confidence and GDP reached it's lowest ebb around the end of the terrorist attacks and rebounded as soon as the Junta brought peace and stability to Thailand. Again, this is a narrative the Junta cannot control.

A significant depreciation of the baht would trigger a spurt in exports and tourism and the country would be better off than it ever was under the undemocratic regime before them. However the central bank thinks this would be the wrong approach. Rather than try for 5% growth they are following policies that are likely to result in 2% to 3% growth while trying to convince everyone that things will be better for other reasons.

No one risks questioning the authority of the central bank; instead any failure to grow can always be blamed on political uncertainty and that is the specialty of the 7%'er doom and gloomers.

Well done to the Junta for bringing Thailand out of the pits of economic doom. As the economic indicators show if Prayut did not save Thailand from the PTP we would be in a very sad state now and I am not just talking about innocent blood spilt.