PM discusses ways to boost auto and electronics exports in 2016

BANGKOK, 26 October 2015 (NNT) - Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha attended a meeting with members of the auto and electronics industries to discuss ways to boost exports in 2016.

The meeting was dubbed “Prime Minister Meets CEOs (1st Series),” and was also attended by Industry Minister Atchaka Sibunruang. Its agenda was to discuss ways to promote the country’s auto, electronics, and electrical appliance industries, as part of government’s efforts to stimulate the economy.

A key issue was how to facilitate auto shipments from the overcrowded Laem Chabang Port. It currently exports an average of over one million motor vehicles per year.

Gen Prayut was later scheduled to chair another meeting of the National Rice Policy and Management Committee. The committee is tasked with the management and auction of the government's stockpiled rice.


-- NNT 2015-10-26

A key issue was how to facilitate auto shipments from the overcrowded Laem Chabang Port. It currently exports an average of over one million motor vehicles per year

Do not store them in rice warehouses, or they may find a few go missing...

Ummmm. Subsidise car exports?

A key issue was how to facilitate auto shipments from the overcrowded Laem Chabang Port. It currently exports an average of over one million motor vehicles per year

Do not store them in rice warehouses, or they may find a few go missing...

Or....

Scale back the Chinese rail deal, which is designed primarily to enhance Chinese trade, and fund significant Port improvements so as to unblock Thai exports.

I tell you...I'm on a roll! :-)

A key issue was how to facilitate auto shipments from the overcrowded Laem Chabang Port. It currently exports an average of over one million motor vehicles per year

Do not store them in rice warehouses, or they may find a few go missing...

Or....

Scale back the Chinese rail deal, which is designed primarily to enhance Chinese trade, and fund significant Port improvements so as to unblock Thai exports.

I tell you...I'm on a roll! :-)

And with the rail won't be cars transported? And no parts to build cars? We actually sell highly specialized products to Thailands car manufacturer and a good part comes from a Hi-Tech company in China (an European company that produces there).

While the railway is good, it would be much better if they make the channel from Andaman to Gulf with a big free trade area. It would take over a lot business from Singapore, bring huge income, save fuel, improve the supply of just everything faster and cheaper.

Just it won't happen because Singapore finds a way to convince Thai politicians.

A key issue was how to facilitate auto shipments from the overcrowded Laem Chabang Port. It currently exports an average of over one million motor vehicles per year

Do not store them in rice warehouses, or they may find a few go missing...

Or....

Scale back the Chinese rail deal, which is designed primarily to enhance Chinese trade, and fund significant Port improvements so as to unblock Thai exports.

I tell you...I'm on a roll! :-)

And with the rail won't be cars transported? And no parts to build cars? We actually sell highly specialized products to Thailands car manufacturer and a good part comes from a Hi-Tech company in China (an European company that produces there).

While the railway is good, it would be much better if they make the channel from Andaman to Gulf with a big free trade area. It would take over a lot business from Singapore, bring huge income, save fuel, improve the supply of just everything faster and cheaper.

Just it won't happen because Singapore finds a way to convince Thai politicians.

I would expect the major freight on the Chinese rail line will be products from Kunming, as that is its northern terminus, by design.

"Kunming's key industries draw on these resources to manufacture steel, non-ferrous metals, building materials, chemicals, diesel engines and machine tools. In the past few years, the traditional economy has diversified through growth of advanced technology industries such as biotech, optoelectronics, and information technologies." [wikipedia]

I think Thailand should think hard about this. They could very well undercut their own manufacturing capabilities by facilitating the Chinese exports to Thailand and the rest of southeast Asia, without adequate compensation in return.

"A key issue was how to facilitate auto shipments from the overcrowded Laem Chabang Port. It currently exports an average of over one million motor vehicles per year. Gen Prayut was later scheduled to chair another meeting of the National Rice Policy and Management Committee. The committee is tasked with the management and auction of the government's stockpiled rice."

Um, maybe build a few new docks and cranes? Just a thought.

If they have trouble moving cars, how can they move millions of tonnes of rice? Maybe the illegal fishing trawlers can take some.....

PM meets foreign investors to boost confidence



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday met with leading foreign business leaders to discuss matters regarding potential developments to the local economy.

The meeting was part of his government’s campaign to boost foreign investors’ confidence in the country under a theme called ‘Prime Minister Meet CEOs’.

The prime minister met with foreign CEOs based in Thailand from the automobile, electronics and electrical industries.

During the meeting Gen Prayut stated that one of the proposals being looked is the possibility of allowing Japanese businesses to manage the Thai Baht to carry out forex transactions.

And for the automotive sector, he said the government is looking at providing privileges to manufacturers of eco cars and electrical vehicles.

He also touched on the possible joint investment by Thailand in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) saying that the matter was being seriously considered by the Ministry of Commerce to determine the benefits and drawbacks before a decision was made.

Accordingly, CEOs from the Ford Thailand, Mazda Thailand and Mitsubishi Motors Thailand confirmed that they were placing the highest priority in increasing investments in Thailand.

They assured the prime minister that they place Thailand only behind Japan in importance in the region with regards to automobile production.

Promisingly, the CEO from Mitsubishi Motors Thailand was able to confirm that the company has plans to increase local investment by 33 billion Baht.

At the same time, business leaders in the electronics and electrical industries namely Mitsubishi Electric and Thai Samsung Electric said that they firmly believe in the potential of the country.

They stated that Thailand’s electronic and electric industry is still the main contributor to the country exports.

Accordingly, they were also committed to making increased investments in the country.

They revealed plans to develop a household electrical appliance production base in Thailand and have selected Sri Racha as the likeliest location to set up facilities.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pm-meets-foreign-investors-to-boost-confidence


-- Thai PBS 2015-10-27

Another article without a single quote to justify the spin from the government spokesman, same shy1te different day!

Edited October 27, 201510 yr by BigBadGeordie

The PM should remember the reasons for foreign auto manufacturers being in Thailand.

The obvious is low labor costs but surrounding countries are now competing with Thailand in the labor arena. With Thailand's faltering and chaotic educational system to provide technical skills required for a sustainable trained auto workforce, a labor shortage is likely to motivate manufacturers to move to more dependable countries.

The unobvious reason is that Thailand's failing domestic economy and uncontrollable household debt has slowed the demand for autos and trucks in Thailand. Auto manufacturers may find more healthy economies in surrounding countries where GDP growth and domestic economies are increasing. As such they are likely to scale down their Thai operations and shift to other countries.

The Thai government sees itself as the hub of everything. What it is seems to ignore is that other Asian-Pacific countries will as actively pursue their own economic sustainability. And neighboring countries have shown they are actively soliciting more manufacturing industries.

On the second article posted (after the OP), 3rd paragraph, says something about Japanese businesses being allowed to manage the Thai Baht to carry out forex transactions.

Anyone know what that actually means?

A key issue was how to facilitate auto shipments from the overcrowded Laem Chabang Port. It currently exports an average of over one million motor vehicles per year

Do not store them in rice warehouses, or they may find a few go missing...

Or in the customs warehouse, where seized autos have a way of disappearing.

I am quite surprised they have not pulled off a giant lie like VW did with the diesel software... which is completely imploding VW...

But, since lying is an art in LOS, I can only imagine how the investigation would have gone if it stemmed from here.

Anyway, back on point. Ummm... ok... you can... ummm, ????