Thailand’s National Reform Council Seeks to Rid Country of Business Monopolies

[Jacob Maslow]

Thailand’s National Reform Council (NRC) has proposed reforms that would effectively end many of the country’s business monopolies. The NRC states that the Trade Competition Act of 1999 is not practical and that the Trade Competition Commission will need a major overhaul to remove politician and interest group influence in the following sectors: commerce, tourism, service, agricultural and industry.

Members of the NRC state that the Trade Competition Act must be amended to allow the commission to promote competition instead of dealing with just violators.

The NRC has also proposed that the act should redefine business operators. Members said that state enterprises should be regulated when competing against private companies to promote fair trade.

Monopolistic conditions in the country are being blamed on state officials, politicians and powerful business owners. The biggest concern is that politicians are receiving large financial support when working with large companies, which allows these businesses to continue to operate. Many politicians are also promised support after they retire, such as placing politicians in executive roles within large companies.

Monopolies are the biggest supporters of political parties, states Jermsak Pinthong, a member of the NRC.

Concerns over the impact of large wholesale companies on local businesses is also a major issue. The NRC is proposing a limit on the number of large shops in specific zones to allow for local business growth.

-- 2015-04-06

[NongKhaiKid]

Good luck with that as the opposition will be massive and the idea of ' worms and cans ' springs readily to mind.

[selftaopath]

Fantastic if this is more than talk. Accomplishing this, and instilling "market" competition will GREATLY aid Thailand and her people (IMO).

Oh how I hope there is ACTION - this time.

[BSJ]

There are a few families in LOS that must think they have demigod status and can do whatever they like without fear of being bought to account. Lets hope the government can pull this off.

[rametindallas]

This is the first time a Thai government has even discussed the subject openly and I believe it is because the junta has no political ties to defend. With the tool of Article 44, it is possible to make some progress on this front. Too many businesses in Thailand are reserved exclusively for certain families and they won't want to give up their monopoly status easily. I expect this will be a challenge and a test of the will of the PM to actually carry this out knowing the toes he will be stepping on. I wish him well as these powerful interests will ally themselves against him now. There is no question that Thailand will be a better place with some honest competition. All you posters accusing the general of representing the 'elite' can take a break and see if he actually does something to limit their power and influence.

[dragonfly94]

No longer just King Power at the airport then? fat chance of even that changing.

[geriatrickid]

Not going to happen. CP Group has a lockhold on Thailand's poultry and egg industry. It is also one of the largest conglomerates in Thailand with its other interests. Too many market sectors are controlled by a few vested interests. I doubt that cement will be touched because of one major shareholder.

This is just hot air.

[marinediscoking]

One more out of a hundred press releases they have made. The 99 others have still not been implemented but I will give them the bike lanes so nobody can say this PM hasn't accomplished anything.

[zydeco]

Doesn't the army hold a lot of businesses?

[akampa]

Words are cheap ,but you never know!

[khwaibah]

Would be nice to see Beer Lao and Angkor Beer openly sold.

[Always18]

Not going to happen. CP Group has a lockhold on Thailand's poultry and egg industry. It is also one of the largest conglomerates in Thailand with its other interests. Too many market sectors are controlled by a few vested interests. I doubt that cement will be touched because of one major shareholder.

This is just hot air.

Absolutely agree.

Thailand's entire economic culture is one of monopolies and oligopolies supported by smug, protectionist import duties - any substantive changes to that status quo would never be allowed to happen..................

[casindonet]

Guess some NRC members will need to find a new job very-very soon.

[robblok]

Not going to happen. CP Group has a lockhold on Thailand's poultry and egg industry. It is also one of the largest conglomerates in Thailand with its other interests. Too many market sectors are controlled by a few vested interests. I doubt that cement will be touched because of one major shareholder.

This is just hot air.

Absolutely agree.

Thailand's entire economic culture is one of monopolies and oligopolies supported by smug, protectionist import duties - any substantive changes to that status quo would never be allowed to happen..................

I think there will be fierce resistance that is for sure. But it is striking how the junta can really govern and improve the country whereas previous governments did not. They are also going after corruption far more then any previous administration.

If they can make this work and go on with their other work they are the government that changed Thailand for the better.

[Christie Paul]

Monopolies and oligopolies are generally bloated, inefficient and rely on governments for support - they are by far the greatest recipients of state welfare.

Dramatically reduce the red tape, company regulations, immigration and employment constraints and watch the small private sector take them down.

[Nick167]

Love to see this happen to the Thai Chinese familes like CP, Central, Siam Piwat, Singha, Beer Chang,etc. If fact, I cannot wait to see the day that the masses decide that its time to get rid of these thai chinese monopolies out of the country altogether.

[wabothai]

Allthough it is a very good strive, I think it is part of the friday evening

popularity speeches.

I wonder why this good timing. Why can´t they think of this.

[NeilSA1]

I think there will be fierce resistance that is for sure. But it is striking how the junta can really govern and improve the country whereas previous governments did not. They are also going after corruption far more then any previous administration.

If they can make this work and go on with their other work they are the government that changed Thailand for the better.

I sincerely wish them well. They need to be very committed, and time may not be on their side - it is a huge ship to turn around in a small port.

[Thailand]

Snowballs and hell comes to mind.

Most of those "monopolies" are owned by those that helped put the current incumbents in power. Just more hot air to go with the current high temperatures.

[robblok]

I think there will be fierce resistance that is for sure. But it is striking how the junta can really govern and improve the country whereas previous governments did not. They are also going after corruption far more then any previous administration.

If they can make this work and go on with their other work they are the government that changed Thailand for the better.

I sincerely wish them well. They need to be very committed, and time may not be on their side - it is a huge ship to turn around in a small port.

True.. they don't have much time.. and of course the next government can change it all again of course. But at least they are trying.

[marinediscoking]

Anyone who believes this Junta is going to change any monopolies truly does not understand Thailand. Have a look at the companies mentioned above and what few families control them and all the marriages between family members. Also as far as I can research all of them support the Democrats and were active in financially supporting the yellow shirt movement/Suthept in past protests. All the crazy things Prayut has said in the past makes me think he is not very smart but even he is not stupid enough to bite the hand that feeds him.

[Alwyn]

How about ridding the country of unelected Government monopolies (actually, I didn't need the plural there really, did I?)

[MobileContent]

This will not happen.

1) As mentioned already CP controls the poultry industry in Thailand

2) One Family of Indian/Thai control the supply most weapons to both the Army and Police.

3) Around three families control most shopping centers in Thailand.

On most PLC's you will see past politicians, police and army generals in the board. Their only job is to keep things as it is. Those powerful families finance the Democrat Party by the way.

[givenall]

Fat chance, have to pissoff all the super rich on all sides. Plus how can a regime who holds monopoly on power eliminate monopoly.

[rubl]

Well, it would seem this will never happen because a few foreign experts here on TVF say so.

On the other hand all agree there is a need for this to happen.

So, if Magic Wand A44 is activated, who will complain about it's use?

[WhizBang]

Can't see any real change happening, just too many vested interests.

[Rod Wallop]

I'd like to believe that this sort of thing is possible, but the realist in me just won't allow it.

[annabel]

Love to see this happen to the Thai Chinese familes like CP, Central, Siam Piwat, Singha, Beer Chang,etc. If fact, I cannot wait to see the day that the masses decide that its time to get rid of these thai chinese monopolies out of the country altogether.

If by any good chance it should happen here in Thailand I sure hope it would get a trend going all over the world for the likes of certain bigger monopolies like Walmart, Microsoft, Mosanto etc...etc.. the whole world needs to get rid of these monopolies and bring back fair competition... Well anyway wishful thinking

[Wilsonandson]

Now the newbies in power want foreign investment out, Tesco Lotus, has invested alot in Thailand and helped create many jobs. The Japanese automobile companies have also helped the country tremendously. These ideas are going to create chaos. Who are these reformers?. What experience have they? I understand patriotism, but soon the country will be as backward as its neighbours Burma and Cambodia. No offence to those countries.

[dragonfly94]

Tesco was bought by CP some time back