Thailand records first trade surplus in five years

[MaeJoMTB]

Ignored is the exponential growth in population. Whereas 15 years ago a figure of between 6 and 10 % of a population needed :high" education that has now been reduced to around 3 to 4%. And that is mostly applicable to developed countries.

So we'll ignore all the reports saying Thailand isn't producing enough babies to replace it's aging citizens shall we?

And just say the population is in 'exponential growth'.

Living up to the nick!

[halloween]

It may sound good but its not, each year the trade surplus is getting smaller and smaller. The Thai economy is sliding badly. We all know why by now.

How is moving from negative to positive "getting smaller"? Is this some of PC where we should look at the absolutes and ignore the colour of the numbers?

[halloween]

Most reading the news upside down. The trade surplus came about due to a massive drop in import. The 9.23% import reduction is a signal of stoppage and stagnation of domestic production because enterprises have to stop their production so they dont import raw materials or because of reduced power market. It's actually bad news and a spiraling downwards of the economy.

Are you am American Eric? They seem to be the only ones that think getting further into debt each year is a positive sign.

[AlQaholic]

The drop in exports and imports are coinciding. However, the outlook for imports are frightening. A massive drop of 11.02% compared to exports sliding to 5.78% from a year earlier.

Main reason for the first recorded surplus is due to falling imports. Thai Central Bank forecast zero-growth-export in 2016.

Remember, the real chaos in China hasn't even begun...

How much of the reduction in imports is due to the much lower oil price?

In general, oil imports are down from an all time high of 50,374 m/l from 2013 to 43,038 m/l in 2015. -15% as we speak.

However, I don't necessary believe that oil prices have a significant impact since it affects the economy as a whole. Basically, if Thailand would start importing cheaper oil, then it would also be cheaper to export goods and services. As a matter of fact, cheaper oil prices should spur consumer spending and eventually lead to more imports. That is however not the case. One could also argue that countries import a lot more oil when it's cheaper. 80% of imports are non fuels.

Gasoline prices are down to $0.9L from the highs of $1.17L in 2014, not so much of a drop.

What's interesting is how tied the Thai economy is to China. See at the Graph below,

Skärmavbild 2016-01-26 kl. 22.43.50.png

everyone follows China it seems....or is it the other way......or maybe there is a relationship?

Edited January 27, 2016 by AlQaholic

[Eric Loh]

Most reading the news upside down. The trade surplus came about due to a massive drop in import. The 9.23% import reduction is a signal of stoppage and stagnation of domestic production because enterprises have to stop their production so they dont import raw materials or because of reduced power market. It's actually bad news and a spiraling downwards of the economy.

Are you am American Eric? They seem to be the only ones that think getting further into debt each year is a positive sign.

Try to have an understanding of economic drivers of USA and Thailand and at their import components and you will understand why a reduction in import for Thailand is not a positive outlook.

[Johnniey]

Most reading the news upside down. The trade surplus came about due to a massive drop in import. The 9.23% import reduction is a signal of stoppage and stagnation of domestic production because enterprises have to stop their production so they dont import raw materials or because of reduced power market. It's actually bad news and a spiraling downwards of the economy.

Are you am American Eric? They seem to be the only ones that think getting further into debt each year is a positive sign.

Americans here are jealous that the land they love to bash is actually financially better off, the general public much wiser and Tesco Lotus don't give free little tractors for all the fat-arsed women to go up and down the aisles on. When the Yankee Empire collapses in ruin, these miserable old retirees and their uneducated, stupid, superstitious wives will be happy for once that they live in Thailand.