Thailand Eyes UN Human Rights Council Seat with Optimism

[Lite Beer]

High hopes for new economic team: poll
THE SUNDAY NATION

BANGKOK: -- MOST people surveyed by a Bangkok Poll released yesterday believe the new-look Cabinet will reverse the economic slowdown and lift the global community's confidence in the country.

Of the 1,201 people aged over 18 polled nationwide, 47 per cent believe the revamped Cabinet has a better image than the previous line-up, 20 per cent say they share a similar image and 4 per cent believe the reshuffled Cabinet has a poorer image than the previous line-up.

Eight-five per cent believe the military having less of a role in the Cabinet has boosted its credibility in the eyes of foreigners, 20 per cent believe otherwise and 13 per cent are not sure.

Sixty-six per cent are confident in the competency of the Cabinet's new economic team led by Somkid Jatisripitak, 21 per cent are not |confident and 12 per cent are unsure.

The most pressing problem that people want the new economic team to solve is the plummeting prices of agricultural produce (32 per cent of respondents). They also want it to stem the rising cost of living (31 per cent) and restore confidence in tourism (11 per cent).

Meanwhile Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the government spokespersons team would propose that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announce the administration's one-year performance overview in November.

He expects Prayut will approve the proposal, as the new ministers and deputy prime ministers need time to look into their work.

Sansern defended the performance of the outgoing Cabinet members, saying they were not replaced due to a lack of ability.

"We needed to adjust the team to change the situation,'' he said.

He said the PM had invited every outgoing minister and deputy prime minister to be an adviser and if they did not accept the post, there was no problem.

Outgoing Deputy Prime Minister Pridiyathorn Devakula has rejected the advisory post he was offered, saying the PM had not directly asked him to accept it and even if he had, he would have said no because he did not like the way the PM ran the administration.

But Sansern insisted there were no simmering conflicts resulting from the Cabinet reshuffle, saying everyone had good intentions for the country.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/High-hopes-for-new-economic-team-poll-30267220.html

-- The Nation 2015-08-23

[tbthailand]

The most pressing problem that people want the new economic team to solve is the plummeting prices of agricultural produce

the "government" could pay them more for rice....

[shirtless]

Hope is the key word here, Whats the bet there will be a new team appointed in the next year . The bullsiht just keeps getting bigger.

[mikemac]

I cannot believe they found 1,201 people aged over 18 "nationwide" who knew what the make-up of the new cabinet was, let alone whether they "will reverse the economic slowdown and lift the global community's confidence in the country."

Did they ask any of the rice farmers in the countryside up north ?

The most pressing problem that people want the new economic team to solve is the plummeting prices of agricultural produce

the "government" could pay them more for rice....

..................."the "government" could pay them more for rice...."....................

This comment is what you call a "bait". The poster claims he is not a Shin supporter yet he posts comments aimed at getting other posters into an argument regarding the famous "rice scam".

Best to ignore his bait.

[NeverSure]

^^^ I thought he was being sarcastic including adding the little smiley but, oh well...

[tbthailand]

and the right answer is....

drumroll, please, ...

sarcasm!

[Chang_paarp]

Reduce the drop in price for agricultural products and reduce the increase in the cost of living. These two points seem to be at odds with one another in both source of concern and desired outcome, but motherhood statements none the less.

[ChrisY1]

The cabinet re-shuffle really has very little to do with one general being better than the last......bit it does give each a share of the trough!

[Thai at Heart]

I cannot believe they found 1,201 people aged over 18 "nationwide" who knew what the make-up of the new cabinet was, let alone whether they "will reverse the economic slowdown and lift the global community's confidence in the country."

Did they ask any of the rice farmers in the countryside up north ?

The most pressing problem that people want the new economic team to solve is the plummeting prices of agricultural produce

the "government" could pay them more for rice....

..................."the "government" could pay them more for rice...."....................

This comment is what you call a "bait". The poster claims he is not a Shin supporter yet he posts comments aimed at getting other posters into an argument regarding the famous "rice scam".

Best to ignore his bait.

Well if this is an identified issue, what would u do? U can dress up the solution whichever way u like, but the only one is that the govt will pay somehow or other, if they want to solve it

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

I cannot believe they found 1,201 people aged over 18 "nationwide" who knew what the make-up of the new cabinet was, let alone whether they "will reverse the economic slowdown and lift the global community's confidence in the country."

Did they ask any of the rice farmers in the countryside up north ?

The most pressing problem that people want the new economic team to solve is the plummeting prices of agricultural produce

the "government" could pay them more for rice....

..................."the "government" could pay them more for rice...."....................

This comment is what you call a "bait". The poster claims he is not a Shin supporter yet he posts comments aimed at getting other posters into an argument regarding the famous "rice scam".

Best to ignore his bait.

Why cant junta supporters just sometimes chill a bit ?

[elgordo38]

I cannot believe they found 1,201 people aged over 18 "nationwide" who knew what the make-up of the new cabinet was, let alone whether they "will reverse the economic slowdown and lift the global community's confidence in the country."

Did they ask any of the rice farmers in the countryside up north ?

The most pressing problem that people want the new economic team to solve is the plummeting prices of agricultural produce

the "government" could pay them more for rice....

..................."the "government" could pay them more for rice...."....................

This comment is what you call a "bait". The poster claims he is not a Shin supporter yet he posts comments aimed at getting other posters into an argument regarding the famous "rice scam".

Best to ignore his bait.

Why cant junta supporters just sometimes chill a bit ?

Just to much fun fodder for the other side to pass up. The supporters are rushing in to put their fingers in the dike.

Edited August 23, 2015 by elgordo38

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

The Thai economy rest of 3 pilars, exports, domestic demand and tourism.

Regarding exports there's only one thing they can do and that is to depreciate the Baht further. By making Thai exports cheaper they can try to maintain export volumes. It will however increase import prices of intermediate goods (goods used in the production process) which will bring about inflation pressure. We may however face a situation that even a lower Baht will not be able to stimulate foreign demand. At present world trade is slowing down with the Baltic dry index reaching new lows - a good indicator of world trade.

A lower Baht may however bring in more tourists even after the recent bombs. There are however a limit to tourism growth over the short term, you cant expand it past the existing supporting infrastructure and human resources. One of the ways the government can try to expand tourism is to move the high season out for a longer period. At present a high percentage of tourist visit during the high season. By providing incentives to tour operators and vistors they can try to extend the high season which will utilise existing infrastructure more productively.

At present the Thai consumers are maxed out and no further interest rate reduction should be made as it will have a negative impact on the economy over the longer term. Between 2007 and 2014 the total debt to GDP ratio increased with 43%, 11% came from government, 6% from corporate debt and 26% from private/household debt. The worst part is that this excludes loan shark debts which could be run into billions of $.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-03-24/global-trade-volume-tumbles-most-2011-biggest-value-plunge-lehman

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-02-23/biggest-problem-facing-world-today-9-countries-have-debt-gdp-over-300

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/06/15/s-debt-problem.html

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-07-23/us-recession-imminent-world-trade-slumps-most-financial-crisis

http://www.dryships.com/pages/report.php

[Thai at Heart]

The Thai economy rest of 3 pilars, exports, domestic demand and tourism.

Regarding exports there's only one thing they can do and that is to depreciate the Baht further. By making Thai exports cheaper they can try to maintain export volumes. It will however increase import prices of intermediate goods (goods used in the production process) which will bring about inflation pressure. We may however face a situation that even a lower Baht will not be able to stimulate foreign demand. At present world trade is slowing down with the Baltic dry index reaching new lows - a good indicator of world trade.

A lower Baht may however bring in more tourists even after the recent bombs. There are however a limit to tourism growth over the short term, you cant expand it past the existing supporting infrastructure and human resources. One of the ways the government can try to expand tourism is to move the high season out for a longer period. At present a high percentage of tourist visit during the high season. By providing incentives to tour operators and vistors they can try to extend the high season which will utilise existing infrastructure more productively.

At present the Thai consumers are maxed out and no further interest rate reduction should be made as it will have a negative impact on the economy over the longer term. Between 2007 and 2014 the total debt to GDP ratio increased with 43%, 11% came from government, 6% from corporate debt and 26% from private/household debt. The worst part is that this excludes loan shark debts which could be run into billions of $.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-03-24/global-trade-volume-tumbles-most-2011-biggest-value-plunge-lehman

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-02-23/biggest-problem-facing-world-today-9-countries-have-debt-gdp-over-300

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/06/15/s-debt-problem.html

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-07-23/us-recession-imminent-world-trade-slumps-most-financial-crisis

http://www.dryships.com/pages/report.php

Well that's not quite true. They can of course attract more foreign companies to invest in order to export.

Thus Investment rises, with a requisite increase in exports when the factory starts to export. This has been the engine of growth not consumption nor consumption per se.

Which came first the factory or the Export? They need desperately to reform the protected industries. The money would come racing in to banking, agribusiness, insurance, construction and all the others..

[Srikcir]

Such duplicity:

Devakula would have rejected the advisory post he was offered, saying he would have said no because he did not like the way the PM ran the administration.

I don't ever recall Devakula publicly disagreeing with the way Prayut "ran the administration" - until he was thrown off Prayut's Cabinet. I don't see Devakula's addiction to power ending because of the cabinet shuffle and might lead to more internal political discourse within the military.

[rubl]

This is a completely believable poll. I have no doubts Thai have high hopes, realism not being one of the traditional Thai values.

[rubl]

The Thai economy rest of 3 pilars, exports, domestic demand and tourism.

Regarding exports there's only one thing they can do and that is to depreciate the Baht further. By making Thai exports cheaper they can try to maintain export volumes. It will however increase import prices of intermediate goods (goods used in the production process) which will bring about inflation pressure. We may however face a situation that even a lower Baht will not be able to stimulate foreign demand. At present world trade is slowing down with the Baltic dry index reaching new lows - a good indicator of world trade.

A lower Baht may however bring in more tourists even after the recent bombs. There are however a limit to tourism growth over the short term, you cant expand it past the existing supporting infrastructure and human resources. One of the ways the government can try to expand tourism is to move the high season out for a longer period. At present a high percentage of tourist visit during the high season. By providing incentives to tour operators and vistors they can try to extend the high season which will utilise existing infrastructure more productively.

At present the Thai consumers are maxed out and no further interest rate reduction should be made as it will have a negative impact on the economy over the longer term. Between 2007 and 2014 the total debt to GDP ratio increased with 43%, 11% came from government, 6% from corporate debt and 26% from private/household debt. The worst part is that this excludes loan shark debts which could be run into billions of $.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-03-24/global-trade-volume-tumbles-most-2011-biggest-value-plunge-lehman

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-02-23/biggest-problem-facing-world-today-9-countries-have-debt-gdp-over-300

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/06/15/s-debt-problem.html

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-07-23/us-recession-imminent-world-trade-slumps-most-financial-crisis

http://www.dryships.com/pages/report.php

Well that's not quite true. They can of course attract more foreign companies to invest in order to export.

Thus Investment rises, with a requisite increase in exports when the factory starts to export. This has been the engine of growth not consumption nor consumption per se.

Which came first the factory or the Export? They need desperately to reform the protected industries. The money would come racing in to banking, agribusiness, insurance, construction and all the others..

"They can of course attract more foreign companies to invest in order to export."

That means something could be made in Thailand and be an exportable article leading to profit for the foreign company. That's nice, apart from needing time, identifying, planning, etc., etc. Of course it may be you know of a few products foreign companies could make here and sell with a profit and do so to solve Thailand's economic problems ?

In the mean time it would seem Thai like a solution which shows positive results in the next few weeks, or at least before the (full of bonusses) end of the year.

[Thai at Heart]

The Thai economy rest of 3 pilars, exports, domestic demand and tourism.

Regarding exports there's only one thing they can do and that is to depreciate the Baht further. By making Thai exports cheaper they can try to maintain export volumes. It will however increase import prices of intermediate goods (goods used in the production process) which will bring about inflation pressure. We may however face a situation that even a lower Baht will not be able to stimulate foreign demand. At present world trade is slowing down with the Baltic dry index reaching new lows - a good indicator of world trade.

A lower Baht may however bring in more tourists even after the recent bombs. There are however a limit to tourism growth over the short term, you cant expand it past the existing supporting infrastructure and human resources. One of the ways the government can try to expand tourism is to move the high season out for a longer period. At present a high percentage of tourist visit during the high season. By providing incentives to tour operators and vistors they can try to extend the high season which will utilise existing infrastructure more productively.

At present the Thai consumers are maxed out and no further interest rate reduction should be made as it will have a negative impact on the economy over the longer term. Between 2007 and 2014 the total debt to GDP ratio increased with 43%, 11% came from government, 6% from corporate debt and 26% from private/household debt. The worst part is that this excludes loan shark debts which could be run into billions of $.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-03-24/global-trade-volume-tumbles-most-2011-biggest-value-plunge-lehman

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-02-23/biggest-problem-facing-world-today-9-countries-have-debt-gdp-over-300

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/06/15/s-debt-problem.html

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-07-23/us-recession-imminent-world-trade-slumps-most-financial-crisis

http://www.dryships.com/pages/report.php

Well that's not quite true. They can of course attract more foreign companies to invest in order to export.

Thus Investment rises, with a requisite increase in exports when the factory starts to export. This has been the engine of growth not consumption nor consumption per se.

Which came first the factory or the Export? They need desperately to reform the protected industries. The money would come racing in to banking, agribusiness, insurance, construction and all the others..

"They can of course attract more foreign companies to invest in order to export."

That means something could be made in Thailand and be an exportable article leading to profit for the foreign company. That's nice, apart from needing time, identifying, planning, etc., etc. Of course it may be you know of a few products foreign companies could make here and sell with a profit and do so to solve Thailand's economic problems ?

In the mean time it would seem Thai like a solution which shows positive results in the next few weeks, or at least before the (full of bonusses) end of the year.

No, this is the essential reform that can be the next push for Thailand. They aren't likely to start exporting much more until they get foreigners to make more stuff here.

Companies are already slowly moving to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Burma instead instead of Thailand. Thailand needs to steal some of that fdi back to their economy. If they don't, Thailand will continue to slow down whilst their neighbours will start to boom.

Profit for the Foreign company. Is that a problem for you. Just look at the benefit to Thailand that the automotive industry made to Thailand.

These domestic Thai companies are now an oligopoly brake on economic progress. There is little that can be done for the short term to get the economy really moving other than govt spending.

If they liberalise the investment rules, companies could move a lot faster than you imagine. Many are here already but are plumping to be in next door countries simply for logistics. Make it worth their while to be in thailand.

[rubl]

The Thai economy rest of 3 pilars, exports, domestic demand and tourism.

Regarding exports there's only one thing they can do and that is to depreciate the Baht further. By making Thai exports cheaper they can try to maintain export volumes. It will however increase import prices of intermediate goods (goods used in the production process) which will bring about inflation pressure. We may however face a situation that even a lower Baht will not be able to stimulate foreign demand. At present world trade is slowing down with the Baltic dry index reaching new lows - a good indicator of world trade.

A lower Baht may however bring in more tourists even after the recent bombs. There are however a limit to tourism growth over the short term, you cant expand it past the existing supporting infrastructure and human resources. One of the ways the government can try to expand tourism is to move the high season out for a longer period. At present a high percentage of tourist visit during the high season. By providing incentives to tour operators and vistors they can try to extend the high season which will utilise existing infrastructure more productively.

At present the Thai consumers are maxed out and no further interest rate reduction should be made as it will have a negative impact on the economy over the longer term. Between 2007 and 2014 the total debt to GDP ratio increased with 43%, 11% came from government, 6% from corporate debt and 26% from private/household debt. The worst part is that this excludes loan shark debts which could be run into billions of $.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-03-24/global-trade-volume-tumbles-most-2011-biggest-value-plunge-lehman

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-02-23/biggest-problem-facing-world-today-9-countries-have-debt-gdp-over-300

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/06/15/s-debt-problem.html

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-07-23/us-recession-imminent-world-trade-slumps-most-financial-crisis

http://www.dryships.com/pages/report.php

Well that's not quite true. They can of course attract more foreign companies to invest in order to export.

Thus Investment rises, with a requisite increase in exports when the factory starts to export. This has been the engine of growth not consumption nor consumption per se.

Which came first the factory or the Export? They need desperately to reform the protected industries. The money would come racing in to banking, agribusiness, insurance, construction and all the others..

"They can of course attract more foreign companies to invest in order to export."

That means something could be made in Thailand and be an exportable article leading to profit for the foreign company. That's nice, apart from needing time, identifying, planning, etc., etc. Of course it may be you know of a few products foreign companies could make here and sell with a profit and do so to solve Thailand's economic problems ?

In the mean time it would seem Thai like a solution which shows positive results in the next few weeks, or at least before the (full of bonusses) end of the year.

No, this is the essential reform that can be the next push for Thailand. They aren't likely to start exporting much more until they get foreigners to make more stuff here.

Companies are already slowly moving to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Burma instead instead of Thailand. Thailand needs to steal some of that fdi back to their economy. If they don't, Thailand will continue to slow down whilst their neighbours will start to boom.

Profit for the Foreign company. Is that a problem for you. Just look at the benefit to Thailand that the automotive industry made to Thailand.

These domestic Thai companies are now an oligopoly brake on economic progress. There is little that can be done for the short term to get the economy really moving other than govt spending.

If they liberalise the investment rules, companies could move a lot faster than you imagine. Many are here already but are plumping to be in next door countries simply for logistics. Make it worth their while to be in thailand.

Why would foreign company make products here to export them? Answer: for profit! That's the only 'worthwhile' foreign companies understand. Furthermore depending on type of goods a minimum period of three to five years is required to 'set up shop', start producing / exporting, decide on continuing / closing down.

As for Thailand education of the workforce is needed. Thailand is too expensive to be able to continue relying on 'dumb' workers (no insult intended). Workforce education takes time, instilling work ethics takes time, giving a base education takes 12 to 15 years as kids in school.

Back to the OP "high hopes". Wishful thinking comes to mind.

[Thai at Heart]

The Thai economy rest of 3 pilars, exports, domestic demand and tourism.

Regarding exports there's only one thing they can do and that is to depreciate the Baht further. By making Thai exports cheaper they can try to maintain export volumes. It will however increase import prices of intermediate goods (goods used in the production process) which will bring about inflation pressure. We may however face a situation that even a lower Baht will not be able to stimulate foreign demand. At present world trade is slowing down with the Baltic dry index reaching new lows - a good indicator of world trade.

A lower Baht may however bring in more tourists even after the recent bombs. There are however a limit to tourism growth over the short term, you cant expand it past the existing supporting infrastructure and human resources. One of the ways the government can try to expand tourism is to move the high season out for a longer period. At present a high percentage of tourist visit during the high season. By providing incentives to tour operators and vistors they can try to extend the high season which will utilise existing infrastructure more productively.

At present the Thai consumers are maxed out and no further interest rate reduction should be made as it will have a negative impact on the economy over the longer term. Between 2007 and 2014 the total debt to GDP ratio increased with 43%, 11% came from government, 6% from corporate debt and 26% from private/household debt. The worst part is that this excludes loan shark debts which could be run into billions of $.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-03-24/global-trade-volume-tumbles-most-2011-biggest-value-plunge-lehman

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-02-23/biggest-problem-facing-world-today-9-countries-have-debt-gdp-over-300

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/06/15/s-debt-problem.html

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-07-23/us-recession-imminent-world-trade-slumps-most-financial-crisis

http://www.dryships.com/pages/report.php

Well that's not quite true. They can of course attract more foreign companies to invest in order to export.

Thus Investment rises, with a requisite increase in exports when the factory starts to export. This has been the engine of growth not consumption nor consumption per se.

Which came first the factory or the Export? They need desperately to reform the protected industries. The money would come racing in to banking, agribusiness, insurance, construction and all the others..

"They can of course attract more foreign companies to invest in order to export."

That means something could be made in Thailand and be an exportable article leading to profit for the foreign company. That's nice, apart from needing time, identifying, planning, etc., etc. Of course it may be you know of a few products foreign companies could make here and sell with a profit and do so to solve Thailand's economic problems ?

In the mean time it would seem Thai like a solution which shows positive results in the next few weeks, or at least before the (full of bonusses) end of the year.

No, this is the essential reform that can be the next push for Thailand. They aren't likely to start exporting much more until they get foreigners to make more stuff here.

Companies are already slowly moving to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Burma instead instead of Thailand. Thailand needs to steal some of that fdi back to their economy. If they don't, Thailand will continue to slow down whilst their neighbours will start to boom.

Profit for the Foreign company. Is that a problem for you. Just look at the benefit to Thailand that the automotive industry made to Thailand.

These domestic Thai companies are now an oligopoly brake on economic progress. There is little that can be done for the short term to get the economy really moving other than govt spending.

If they liberalise the investment rules, companies could move a lot faster than you imagine. Many are here already but are plumping to be in next door countries simply for logistics. Make it worth their while to be in thailand.

Why would foreign company make products here to export them? Answer: for profit! That's the only 'worthwhile' foreign companies understand. Furthermore depending on type of goods a minimum period of three to five years is required to 'set up shop', start producing / exporting, decide on continuing / closing down.

As for Thailand education of the workforce is needed. Thailand is too expensive to be able to continue relying on 'dumb' workers (no insult intended). Workforce education takes time, instilling work ethics takes time, giving a base education takes 12 to 15 years as kids in school.

Back to the OP "high hopes". Wishful thinking comes to mind.

U don't like all the Foreign companies operating in Thailand already. Funnily enough, all the Thai companies like to make a profit too.

Without all the Foreign companies in thailand, the Thai economy would be a fraction of what it is today. If u don't like them making a profit, they will all move elsewhere quite happily.

The investment I am talking about is in industries they already have. Automobile, electronics etc which are seeing a move to other countries and then also things like retailing, construction and finance. Whilst u might not like these evil foreigners making a profit I think u may find that added competition in these markets would be good for the consumer.

Right now you are being gouged by oligopoly.

[rubl]

No, this is the essential reform that can be the next push for Thailand. They aren't likely to start exporting much more until they get foreigners to make more stuff here.

Companies are already slowly moving to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Burma instead instead of Thailand. Thailand needs to steal some of that fdi back to their economy. If they don't, Thailand will continue to slow down whilst their neighbours will start to boom.

Profit for the Foreign company. Is that a problem for you. Just look at the benefit to Thailand that the automotive industry made to Thailand.

These domestic Thai companies are now an oligopoly brake on economic progress. There is little that can be done for the short term to get the economy really moving other than govt spending.

If they liberalise the investment rules, companies could move a lot faster than you imagine. Many are here already but are plumping to be in next door countries simply for logistics. Make it worth their while to be in thailand.

Why would foreign company make products here to export them? Answer: for profit! That's the only 'worthwhile' foreign companies understand. Furthermore depending on type of goods a minimum period of three to five years is required to 'set up shop', start producing / exporting, decide on continuing / closing down.

As for Thailand education of the workforce is needed. Thailand is too expensive to be able to continue relying on 'dumb' workers (no insult intended). Workforce education takes time, instilling work ethics takes time, giving a base education takes 12 to 15 years as kids in school.

Back to the OP "high hopes". Wishful thinking comes to mind.

U don't like all the Foreign companies operating in Thailand already. Funnily enough, all the Thai companies like to make a profit too.

Without all the Foreign companies in thailand, the Thai economy would be a fraction of what it is today. If u don't like them making a profit, they will all move elsewhere quite happily.

The investment I am talking about is in industries they already have. Automobile, electronics etc which are seeing a move to other countries and then also things like retailing, construction and finance. Whilst u might not like these evil foreigners making a profit I think u may find that added competition in these markets would be good for the consumer.

Right now you are being gouged by oligopoly.

There seems to be a misunderstanding on your part. Nowhere do I judge as good or bad foreign companies. I'm just trying to be realistic as to why foreign companies would be interested in Thailand in order to export from here.

Now as for foreign companies moving, investigate the cause rather than assume. Retail? Does Thailand need more 'retail'? Construction? As export article? Finance? As export article? With who's money?

[Thai at Heart]

No, this is the essential reform that can be the next push for Thailand. They aren't likely to start exporting much more until they get foreigners to make more stuff here.

Companies are already slowly moving to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Burma instead instead of Thailand. Thailand needs to steal some of that fdi back to their economy. If they don't, Thailand will continue to slow down whilst their neighbours will start to boom.

Profit for the Foreign company. Is that a problem for you. Just look at the benefit to Thailand that the automotive industry made to Thailand.

These domestic Thai companies are now an oligopoly brake on economic progress. There is little that can be done for the short term to get the economy really moving other than govt spending.

If they liberalise the investment rules, companies could move a lot faster than you imagine. Many are here already but are plumping to be in next door countries simply for logistics. Make it worth their while to be in thailand.

Why would foreign company make products here to export them? Answer: for profit! That's the only 'worthwhile' foreign companies understand. Furthermore depending on type of goods a minimum period of three to five years is required to 'set up shop', start producing / exporting, decide on continuing / closing down.

As for Thailand education of the workforce is needed. Thailand is too expensive to be able to continue relying on 'dumb' workers (no insult intended). Workforce education takes time, instilling work ethics takes time, giving a base education takes 12 to 15 years as kids in school.

Back to the OP "high hopes". Wishful thinking comes to mind.

U don't like all the Foreign companies operating in Thailand already. Funnily enough, all the Thai companies like to make a profit too.

Without all the Foreign companies in thailand, the Thai economy would be a fraction of what it is today. If u don't like them making a profit, they will all move elsewhere quite happily.

The investment I am talking about is in industries they already have. Automobile, electronics etc which are seeing a move to other countries and then also things like retailing, construction and finance. Whilst u might not like these evil foreigners making a profit I think u may find that added competition in these markets would be good for the consumer.

Right now you are being gouged by oligopoly.

There seems to be a misunderstanding on your part. Nowhere do I judge as good or bad foreign companies. I'm just trying to be realistic as to why foreign companies would be interested in Thailand in order to export from here.

Now as for foreign companies moving, investigate the cause rather than assume. Retail? Does Thailand need more 'retail'? Construction? As export article? Finance? As export article? With who's money?

Thailand needs reform in all its protected industries to shake them up, provide competition to make sure the Thai farmer or consumer gets the best deal.

The most obvious is agribusiness where middlemen proliferate who could be cut out completely if foreign companies could buy direct . Retailing would also cut out middlemen distributors and keep CP honest also providing more buyers for products.

Banking services could possibly be exported although Singapore already dominates this. Then look at all the deadweight state businesses that could be improved and sorted out with foreign capital. Is any Thai company ever going to buy the railways or TOT?

Never.

Foreign companies moving into south East Asia have decided to move already. They choice is Thailand or elsewhere. Thailand must get an increasing share of the pie today in order to maintain its position for 3 to 5 years time.