Prayut urges price war across borders

[webfact]

Prayut urges price war across borders
ERICH PARPART
THE NATION


Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha presides at the Federation of Thai Industries' annual members meeting

PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday shared his manufacturing and marketing ideas with members of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), suggesting that farmers should bypass the middleman, while Thai producers sell their wares in neighbouring markets by offering the same quality but lower prices than those made in those markets.

He also urged unregistered small and medium-sized enterprises, estimated to number about 2.2 million, to come under the taxation system, suggesting some kind of tax amnesty for those that do so.

"There are currently 2,000 government-supported farmers' markets around the country. These markets allow people to find out the real prices of agricultural products and help farmers bypass the middlemen, who are always trying to keep crop prices low while reselling produce at a higher price for their own profit," he said at the FTI's annual general meeting.

"Look at Japan, where most fishermen split what they have caught into two piles, keeping the better-quality fish to sell themselves while transporting the rest to the factories as a normal practice," he said.

He said the central government and local administrations could support farmers in the packaging process. Meanwhile the Ministry of Commerce would be instructed to look into the possibility of increasing the number of farmers' markets around the country.

Prayut also floated the idea of Thai manufacturers venturing into neighbouring countries with products of daily necessity that cost less but are of the same quality as similar items made locally. People in neighbouring countries are fond of Thai products but reluctant to buy because of their relatively higher prices, he added.

"Our neighbours like our products and they think highly of them but, at the same time, some also think they are a bit expensive. So Thai producers should find a way to cut their manufacturing costs, such as in the packaging process, and re-value them before sales in these markets. The packaging does not have to be too colourful and you do not have to re-advertise there since people are already using [such products]," he said.

"Can we do it? Take toothpaste as an example. If we can make a product of the same quality and cleansing properties, but not so colourful, it can help lower production cost and price. If anyone here can do it, I would offer incentives, such as lower tax," he said.

FTI chairman Supant Mongkolsuthree said he agreed with the prime minister that farmers should bypass the middleman to increase their incomes. He also believed that same-quality products at lower prices for the frontier markets could be manufactured, and the FTI was willing to work with the government to convince producers on this aspect. However, such persuasion must be spearheaded by the public sector, he added.

"E-commerce is another channel for farmers and operators to bypass the middleman and go straight to the customers. In terms of lower-value products for the neighbouring markets, the government has to show real promotional effort and tangible support along with incentives for it to be successful," he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Prayut-urges-price-war-across-borders-30256605.html


-- The Nation 2015-03-24

[Bluespunk]

"Prayut also floated the idea of Thai manufacturers venturing into neighbouring countries with products of daily necessity that cost less but are of the same quality as similar items made locally. "

Neighbouring countries might not be too happy about that.

Edited March 23, 2015 by Bluespunk

[chooka]

"Prayut also floated the idea of Thai manufacturers venturing into neighbouring countries with products of daily necessity that cost less but are of the same quality as similar items made locally. "

Neighbouring countries might not be too happy about that.

Just do as Thailand does and impose extraordinary import duties, Prayuth might throw a world class hissie fit but bugger him if his plans are to destroy the lively hoods of his poor neighbours. Who does this man think he is.

[NongKhaiKid]

"Prayut also floated the idea of Thai manufacturers venturing into neighbouring countries with products of daily necessity that cost less but are of the same quality as similar items made locally. "

Neighbouring countries might not be too happy about that.

Preparing for the AEC in good style !

[NongKhaiKid]

"Prayut also floated the idea of Thai manufacturers venturing into neighbouring countries with products of daily necessity that cost less but are of the same quality as similar items made locally. "

Neighbouring countries might not be too happy about that.

Just do as Thailand does and impose extraordinary import duties, Prayuth might throw a world class hissie fit but bugger him if his plans are to destroy the lively hoods of his poor neighbours. Who does this man think he is.

It's getting frightening and none of his cronies will dare hold him back.

Today Thailand, tomorrow the world. Cue hysterical laughter.

[bangkokfrog]

What impracticable nonsense... and the a__e-licking FTI Chairman agrees !!!

Who says that you couldn't make this kind of stuff up? I do believe that the good General means well, but he proves this wrong every time he speaks in public these days.

[BSJ]

Folks, do not mess with this man, he is pure..........

[jerojero]

Sure! Just load some sacks of rice on your backs farmers, and walk into Vietnam or Cambodia. Then sell it on the side of the road. It the middlemen causing Thai rice to be higher priced in the market. Is not that Thai governments did nothing to improve farming technology or rice genetics, no no. People at the top did not subvert the farmers for eons. Blame the middlemen whomever they are!

[ezzra]

The esteemed PM should be mindful of coming up with all sort of announcements , urges and proclamations

that some of them, given enough time, will turn around to bit him on the ass, as some of his suggestions

and ideas are like climbing onto a very tall tree that one needs, at time, also to climb down from...

[Thian]

"Look at Japan, where most fishermen split what they have caught into two piles, keeping the better-quality fish to sell themselves while transporting the rest to the factories as a normal practice," he said.

Then look at Thailand, where the good fish is not priced on the market so they can change prices all the time. Also the Thai sell fishguts for the same price as the fillet. They don't even know what a fillet is.

[Your Thainess]

Seeing as how this man is inexperienced in war, he might better be cautious.

[Orac]

It was also mentioned in the other paper that he suggested sending products to neighbouring countries so they could be exported to the west under the GSP scheme that the likes of Cambodia and Laos are still able to do and Thailand has now been taken off which is highly dodgy and would mean forging origin certificates.

[robblok]

"Prayut also floated the idea of Thai manufacturers venturing into neighbouring countries with products of daily necessity that cost less but are of the same quality as similar items made locally. "

Neighbouring countries might not be too happy about that.

Just do as Thailand does and impose extraordinary import duties, Prayuth might throw a world class hissie fit but bugger him if his plans are to destroy the lively hoods of his poor neighbours. Who does this man think he is.

Must be one of those days.. agreeing with Chooka here.

Thailand one of the countries that imposes huge import duties wants to export to other countries and compete. Maybe inside Asean as there are duty free agreements there. But otherwise its hypocrity

[HeijoshinCool]

Meanwhile the Ministry of Commerce would be instructed to look into the possibility of increasing the number of farmers' markets around the country.

Uh, yeah, we need a few more of those. Any given day of the week, I had to travel hundreds of meters just to find one.

"Take toothpaste as an example … If anyone here can do it, I would offer incentives, such as lower tax," he said.

Can anyone here make toothpaste? Hello? Anyone? Hello?

[toybits]

Exclude the middleman and turn them into powerful but silent enemies?

[Eric Loh]

For his sake, talk less and let his experts do the talking. Everytime he speak, it's a disaster. He should be talking about leading Thailand to higher valued products rather than competing on price which is a no brainer "you can't win" against lower wages neighbouring countries.

[yellowboat]

He passed over any reference to any trade agreements. Just spouting off as usual with no details. There seems to be casual, unofficial trade at the border crossings in some areas. Thailand's tarrifs are way to high.

[pmarlin]

Yes sir, start a trade war and have all Thai products banned. good move.

[ldiablo]

Not only is he a general he's also a Pm,economist,marketing magician,manufacturing guru,florist and most importantly a di@k.

[yellowboat]

Not only is he a general he's also a Pm,economist,marketing magician,manufacturing guru,florist and most importantly a di@k.

You forgot composer; Return to the Thai people

[Anthony5]

Prayut also floated the idea of Thai manufacturers venturing into neighbouring countries with products of daily necessity that cost less but are of the same quality as similar items made locally.

And when our neighbors do the same, we block them with outrageous import duties, or simply throw them in jail.

The packaging does not have to be too colourful and you do not have to re-advertise there since people are already using [such products]," he said.

"Can we do it? Take toothpaste as an example. If we can make a product of the same quality and cleansing properties, but not so colourful, it can help lower production cost and price.

This man clearly lives in cuckoo's land

[Utley]

Wait - let me get a pad and paper so I can write this marketing strategy down. This is Thailand - smile and be happy!

[nidieunimaitre]

It was also mentioned in the other paper that he suggested sending products to neighbouring countries so they could be exported to the west under the GSP scheme that the likes of Cambodia and Laos are still able to do and Thailand has now been taken off which is highly dodgy and would mean forging origin certificates.

And that would be new?

[ChrisY1]

Meanwhile the Ministry of Commerce would be instructed to look into the possibility of increasing the number of farmers' markets around the country.

Uh, yeah, we need a few more of those. Any given day of the week, I had to travel hundreds of meters just to find one.

"Take toothpaste as an example … If anyone here can do it, I would offer incentives, such as lower tax," he said.

Can anyone here make toothpaste? Hello? Anyone? Hello?

Wife bought some Thai toothpast......very good for the mouth, herbal, she said.....after 1/2 a brushing each, the tube went in the bin.......

Thais do make toothpast, (probably imported in bulk from China) but it's crap!

[nidieunimaitre]

I hear there is a market for used GT200.

Best to export them before the NACC starts the prosecutions, as that will be bad publicity.

[Tatsujin]

He thinks that China has his (Thailand's) back ...

[retsdon]

Prayuth is so typically Thai you have to wonder sometimes that he's not some kind of amalgam of parts, created in a laboratory somewhere to personify the nation. The Pu Yai Maak Ban.

[Orac]

It was also mentioned in the other paper that he suggested sending products to neighbouring countries so they could be exported to the west under the GSP scheme that the likes of Cambodia and Laos are still able to do and Thailand has now been taken off which is highly dodgy and would mean forging origin certificates.

And that would be new?

Nothing new about it but first time i have heard it suggested as part of a national policy by a country's Prime Minister.

[CantSpell]

Take toothpaste as an example. If we can make a product of the same quality and cleansing properties, but not so colourful

Our neighbours like our products and they think highly of them

The packaging does not have to be too colourful and you do not have to re-advertise there since people are already using [such products]

"E-commerce is another channel for farmers and operators

Please stop him, going to wet myself.....

Must have a master in international economy, who would have thought... It was as simple as taking the color out of the toothpaste...

[jerojero]

Thailand must come to realize they are no longer an economic powerhouse in Asia they once were and other neighboring countries are passing them by! Price war? Sure easily done when neighbors are more efficient in producing similar goods!

Edited March 24, 2015 by jerojero