How to save the Thai economy: Opinion

[webfact]

OPINION

How to Save the Thai Economy
By TOM FELIX JOEHNK and FORREST COOKSON

BANGKOK — The return of autocracy to Thailand is putting a hole in the people’s pockets. Sixteen months after the coup that brought down the democratically elected government of Yingluck Shinawatra, incomes in rural areas, where more than 34 million Thais live, have collapsed. Exports fell by 4.9 percent during the first half of 2015, according to the Thai government.

Some reasons for this decline are structural. Thailand’s export-dependent, open economy has been roiled by the rise of the Chinese economy and then by its deceleration. After China became a formidable competitor in low-tech industries and electronics, the falling yuan further undermined the competitiveness of Thai exports in the Chinese market.

But the junta led by Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha has also compounded these difficulties. When it should have been encouraging domestic spending, it suspended the massive agricultural subsidies put in place by the Yingluck government. It has announced that it will speed up spending on some 17 so-called mega-road and -railway projects worth $47 billion. But an infrastructure-centered stimulus will not have an impact on domestic demand for years.

Full story: http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/09/11/opinion/how-to-save-the-thai-economy.html

-- The New York Times 2015-09-11

[peterjackson]

First, hold democratic elections with all and any party allowed to participate and stop running the country as a quasi communist autocratic state.

Your 'expertise' are in the Military arena, not public or political office. Which is abundantly clear for everyone to see.

And keep your mouth SHUT.

[amerasianex]

The weakening of the THB will help but now the export industries and infrastructures projects need to be restarted. As well as Tourism, Small business loans. Farm subsidies. Fuel subsidies. This all needs to happen in a graft free environment. And to assure the longevity of this all Student loans and education should be the top priority for future growth. Just some things that can be done

[billd766]

First, hold democratic elections with all and any party allowed to participate and stop running the country as a quasi communist autocratic state.

Your 'expertise' are in the Military arena, not public or political office. Which is abundantly clear for everyone to see.

And keep your mouth SHUT.

Two questions for you.

What is your version of a democratic election and is that all there is to democracy?

What is YOUR area of expertise?

As for the last line. How arrogant of you living in someone else's country where you have no voice and telling the people running it to keep their mouth shut.

[lovelomsak]

The article makes sense but the writers donot understand Thailand well enough . The writers donot understand that any money meant to go to the poor will never make it there. The people with power will take it before it gets to the poor. The money will just disappear into someones pocket and no one will be accountable.

[toybits]

But but but... they said everything was bright and shiny!

[Thai at Heart]

The weakening of the THB will help but now the export industries and infrastructures projects need to be restarted. As well as Tourism, Small business loans. Farm subsidies. Fuel subsidies. This all needs to happen in a graft free environment. And to assure the longevity of this all Student loans and education should be the top priority for future growth. Just some things that can be done

Graft free environment?

Norway?

[MZurf]

Well written article and unfortunately very true.

[toybits]

It is difficult to move when you have painted yourself into a corner. Talk about biting off more than you can chew and realizing that the S h i + has hit the fan. They should have learned how to walk the talk before taking over. ha ha... never used this many cliché in one go - EVER.

Edited September 11, 2015 by toybits

[Jon Wetherall]

Well written article and unfortunately very true.

Ditto.

[Rimmer]

A post has been removed:

16) You will not make changes to quoted material from other members posts, except for purposes of shortening the quoted post. This cannot be done in such a manner that it alters the context of the original post.

[SoilSpoil]

Law enforcement.

[metisdead]

Off topic distraction posts and replies have been removed.

[MZurf]

It is difficult to move when you have painted yourself into a corner. Talk about biting off more than you can chew and realizing that the S h i + has hit the fan. They should have learned how to walk the talk before taking over. ha ha... never used this many cliché in one go - EVER.

How about "the lunatics are running the asylum"?

[glenmohr]

First, hold democratic elections with all and any party allowed to participate and stop running the country as a quasi communist autocratic state.

Your 'expertise' are in the Military arena, not public or political office. Which is abundantly clear for everyone to see.

And keep your mouth SHUT.

Two questions for you.

What is your version of a democratic election and is that all there is to democracy?

What is YOUR area of expertise?

As for the last line. How arrogant of you living in someone else's country where you have no voice and telling the people running it to keep their mouth shut.

One question for you Build.

Where did the current rulers of Thailand get their legitimacy from?

Just to give you some help, it is against the criminal code in Thailand to overthrow an elected Thai government.

That leads me to the conclusion that you and Suthep installed these current rulers illegally and against the wish of the Thai people.

Many of us posters have a life long interest in democracy and freedom of speech, concepts totally foreign to you Mr Build.

Under your puppet regime the country of Thailand is going backwards very fast and that is a situation which makes many of us very sad. However I do not agree with Peter Jackson, I believe the current ruler should resign, hand Thailand over to the Thai people, which should include the rural portion of the population, and retire back to his barracks. In the meantime the personal affairs of Prayuth should be closely examined, bank accounts, all that kind of information. You Sir ,need to examine your own arrogance in coming to a country and giving support to a wicked regime against the wishes of the local populations.

[toybits]

It is difficult to move when you have painted yourself into a corner. Talk about biting off more than you can chew and realizing that the S h i + has hit the fan. They should have learned how to walk the talk before taking over. ha ha... never used this many cliché in one go - EVER.

How about "the lunatics are running the asylum"?

Don't want to go that far because my attitude might be called for correction...

[ratcatcher]

It is difficult to move when you have painted yourself into a corner. Talk about biting off more than you can chew and realizing that the S h i + has hit the fan. They should have learned how to walk the talk before taking over. ha ha... never used this many cliché in one go - EVER.

How about "the lunatics are running the asylum"?

Don't want to go that far because my attitude might be called for correction...

Many posters speak up about all the monkey business going on in this country, but none have ended up in the monkey house for doing so AFAIK.

Prayuth has reportedly returned happiness to the people and they're having more fun than a barrel of monkeys, but there's always someone around the corner prepared to throw a monkey wrench into the works and spoil things.

He has also got the monkey off his back by removing Thaksin's police rank.

Congratulations monkey's uncle Too.

[Thai at Heart]

It's growing 3%. How much more do they want?

[MZurf]

It is difficult to move when you have painted yourself into a corner. Talk about biting off more than you can chew and realizing that the S h i + has hit the fan. They should have learned how to walk the talk before taking over. ha ha... never used this many cliché in one go - EVER.

How about "the lunatics are running the asylum"?

Don't want to go that far because my attitude might be called for correction...

Many posters speak up about all the monkey business going on in this country, but none have ended up in the monkey house for doing so AFAIK.

Prayuth has reportedly returned happiness to the people and they're having more fun than a barrel of monkeys, but there's always someone around the corner prepared to throw a monkey wrench into the works and spoil things.

He has also got the monkey off his back by removing Thaksin's police rank.

Congratulations monkey's uncle Too.

"Prayuth has reportedly returned happiness to the people and they're having more fun than a barrel of monkeys..."

Actually I hear they're having a whale of a time!

[EnglishJohn]

First, hold democratic elections with all and any party allowed to participate and stop running the country as a quasi communist autocratic state.

Your 'expertise' are in the Military arena, not public or political office. Which is abundantly clear for everyone to see.

And keep your mouth SHUT.

Two questions for you.

What is your version of a democratic election and is that all there is to democracy?

What is YOUR area of expertise?

As for the last line. How arrogant of you living in someone else's country where you have no voice and telling the people running it to keep their mouth shut.

WOW...a bit off topic, Junta apologist.

It is a Forum, Do not act the Dictator here.

Have I missed something here?

My post is totally ON topic.

I am responding to a post one part at a time.

In the first part I simply asked a question.

In the second part I responded to the poster asking him what his area of expertise is as he seems to think that unless you are a politician you are not qualified to do anything else. He has not yet responded to either question so nobody knows if he is qualified to comment on other people.

As for the last part the poster is telling the government to keep their mouth shut.

So if this is a forum anyone is allowed to comment on another persons post.

Where and how did you make the jump that I am a dictator or a junta apologist for commenting on someone elses post?

Please explain to me the reasoning behind your comments.

Billd766: If you argue with a monkey, he will just throw peanuts at you and scream his monkey nonsense.

My signature is good advice for people like this.

[welshissan]

First, hold democratic elections with all and any party allowed to participate and stop running the country as a quasi communist autocratic state.

Your 'expertise' are in the Military arena, not public or political office. Which is abundantly clear for everyone to see.

And keep your mouth SHUT.

Two questions for you.

What is your version of a democratic election and is that all there is to democracy?

What is YOUR area of expertise?

As for the last line. How arrogant of you living in someone else's country where you have no voice and telling the people running it to keep their mouth shut.

WOW...a bit off topic, Junta apologist.

It is a Forum, Do not act the Dictator here.

Have I missed something here?

My post is totally ON topic.

I am responding to a post one part at a time.

In the first part I simply asked a question.

In the second part I responded to the poster asking him what his area of expertise is as he seems to think that unless you are a politician you are not qualified to do anything else. He has not yet responded to either question so nobody knows if he is qualified to comment on other people.

As for the last part the poster is telling the government to keep their mouth shut.

So if this is a forum anyone is allowed to comment on another persons post.

Where and how did you make the jump that I am a dictator or a junta apologist for commenting on someone elses post?

Please explain to me the reasoning behind your comments.

Billd766: If you argue with a monkey, he will just throw peanuts at you and scream his monkey nonsense.

My signature is good advice for people like this.

Isn't that what the current leader of this does?

[TheWizardofRnR]

How to save the economy , get Medical Tourism into the Country, Big Time by legalizing Marijuana for medical use only !

Plus studying what i believe may be studies ongoing in Marijuana medical use , being conducted here already.

If they get it going ASAP it could help save High Season , but also do it before too many more USA States go Decriminalizing or Medicinal use or both combined are passed in coming elections , for their TAX Monies alone , they make a fortune.....

The other option , legalized gambling in a few Tourist destinations , but get it going sooner then later , or other Asia countries will steal all those gamblers away from the new Casinos to open , if takes too long , which in Thailand it usually does take too long !

[jerojero]

Bring in experts from outside as advisers. Economists and social engineers badly needed to guide military rulers who really don't have a clue.

Edited September 11, 2015 by jerojero

[jesimps]

First, hold democratic elections with all and any party allowed to participate and stop running the country as a quasi communist autocratic state.

Your 'expertise' are in the Military arena, not public or political office. Which is abundantly clear for everyone to see.

And keep your mouth SHUT.

Two questions for you.

What is your version of a democratic election and is that all there is to democracy?

What is YOUR area of expertise?

As for the last line. How arrogant of you living in someone else's country where you have no voice and telling the people running it to keep their mouth shut.

My version of a democratic election is something that we had which we don't have now. Indisputable.

[Toscano]

Thailand needs an astute businessman , with good international relations , to encourage inward investment and open markets around the world .

A man who might make billions for himself , might also be capable of making it for the country . At present there doesn't seem to be such a man in Thailand .

[sawadee1947]

truely sad but right. And....no change in sight. So I can't see any improving economy or any growth

[Prbkk]

Thailand needs an astute businessman , with good international relations , to encourage inward investment and open markets around the world .

A man who might make billions for himself , might also be capable of making it for the country . At present there doesn't seem to be such a man in Thailand .

Yes, it's sad. Thailand should be the food bowl and major manufacturing hub of the region , as well as its tourist industry. But how many Thai companies are world class? Maybe 2...Siam Cement certainly.

K Bank? Gets tough after that.

[lostoday]

First, hold democratic elections with all and any party allowed to participate and stop running the country as a quasi communist autocratic state.

Your 'expertise' are in the Military arena, not public or political office. Which is abundantly clear for everyone to see.

And keep your mouth SHUT.

Quasi communist? Maybe a little research to see who the communists took over to be in power is in order.

[lostoday]

Thailand needs an astute businessman , with good international relations , to encourage inward investment and open markets around the world .

A man who might make billions for himself , might also be capable of making it for the country . At present there doesn't seem to be such a man in Thailand .

Yes, it's sad. Thailand should be the food bowl and major manufacturing hub of the region , as well as its tourist industry. But how many Thai companies are world class? Maybe 2...Siam Cement certainly.

K Bank? Gets tough after that.

PTT, Bangkok Bank, Central, Thai Bev, Big C, Indorama, all the hospital companies, and I could go on cause I actually know something about Thai business.

[Now or Never]

Thailand like the rest of the Far East and South East Asia benefited from the China boom and now is suffering along with China during the China slow down.

The China slow down has further to fall and the region will be further effected by this slowdown.

The blame game will continue and every GOP type nutcase at the NEW YORK TIMES will throw in his useless opinion.