Commerce minister: Foreign investors still confident in Thailand



BANGKOK, 24 March 2016 (NNT) - Minister of Commerce Apiradee Tantaporn has expressed confidence that foreign investors are still confident in Thailand’s potential to be a production base of automobiles and a hub of transportation in the region.

The minister said on Wednesday after meeting with executives of Ford Motor Company that the company, whose investment in Thailand is the third largest of its total investment in foreign markets, confirmed to use Thailand as the company’s production base. The executives said Thailand had high potential to be ASEAN’s hub of car production and the company had a plan to investment more in Thailand.

The minister said further that Denmark and Thailand would likely develop trade and investment together in the future, especially in the logistics sector. Denmark also believed that Thailand could be ASEAN’s logistics hub and commended the Thai government for its clear strategies to develop the country’s logistics system, she added.

Earlier this week, Ms. Apiradee met with Danish Ambassador to Thailand Mikael Hemniti Winther and executive of Maersk Group Nils S. Andersen to discuss trade and investment between the two countries.


-- NNT 2016-03-24

Foreign investors still confident in Thailand, except the Japanese...

Don't see Thailand mentioned these days on investment trust holdings. Kind of think it's had its day as a place to invest and make money. Places like Vietnam and Cambodia are much cheaper in most respects. Sounds like they are worried existing local car manufacturers may relocate elsewhere, so I would say the real story is a sweetener deal has been done to keep them in country.

In other news, the chocolate ration was increased from three grams to two grams...

Don't see Thailand mentioned these days on investment trust holdings. Kind of think it's had its day as a place to invest and make money. Places like Vietnam and Cambodia are much cheaper in most respects. Sounds like they are worried existing local car manufacturers may relocate elsewhere, so I would say the real story is a sweetener deal has been done to keep them in country.

The recent Moody's report, reported yesterday (Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand to lag behind ASEAN countries) shares your opinion regarding Vietnam, "Vietnam on the other hand will remain a growth outperformer in the region thanks to robust manufacturing activity and strong investment from abroad."

It's such a pity that 'face' won't allow Thailand to see the reality of where it's heading (or hasn't allowed this for some decades).

No country and it's diplomatic mission here, no international organisation etc need never worry about commenting on LoS as Thai officialdom will happily do it for them and always positively of course.

It's long overdue for Thailand to be called out on this although both Formula 1 and the Tour de France did deny claims they were to compete here.

Edited March 23, 201610 yr by NongKhaiKid

Commerce minister: Foreign investors still confident in Thailand

Thats great too know

I still wonder who buys a Ford in Thailand while he could have a Japanese quality car which lasts much longer. Imagine yourself in BKK traffic in a car that won't run.

...and in today's related news:

BANGKOK: -- Japanese investors have raised concerns that Thai workers are not able to meet the needs of major companies. Automotive suppliers and car makers expressed their concerns as they attempt to build an Asean hub in Thailand. Investors state that Thais fail to meet their needs.

hub of transportation in the region

Hubba hubba to yourselves...

I suppose 'transport' in this case refers to logistics and so on. I have some knowledge on the matter and if we look what percentage of final product these "transportation" cost make, it is something like 12% in Thailand.

12% !!!

I have a Thai friend that needs regularly to take stuff from harbor to his shops around the country. He was so fed up with the costs that he mentioned it being more from harbor here to his shops than from China to the harbor.

He finally bought his own truck...

As a comparison, in Europe average cost for product is 5-7 %

Big companies can squeeze that to 2-3 %

Thailand is overprotective with its attitudes and continues to shoot itself in the foot. They should open up the competition for logistic companies and then maybe then they could talk about becoming a transportation hub.

I don't see that happening anytime soon.

I just LOVE how this article was placed just under the article about how Japanese investors are concerned with the Thai labor force.

You just can't make this stuff up!!!

In April 2008, Minister Apiradee Tantaporn was part of the Thai "brain trust" that predicted high rice prices for 10 years.

Thai quote, 5% broken white rice US $ per ton:

April 2008, 1015

April 2009, 577

Feb 2016, 373

Still optimistic after all these years.

No country and it's diplomatic mission here, no international organisation etc need never worry about commenting on LoS as Thai officialdom will happily do it for them and always positively of course.

It's long overdue for Thailand to be called out on this although both Formula 1 and the Tour de France did deny claims they were to compete here.

Again: kobcarnishism

Foreign investors still confident in leaving Thailand.

Ford may be anticipating the departure of Japanese auto makers that represent 58% of total auto manufactruing outside of Thailand.

That will leave a surplus of labor that Ford can negotiate for lower wages.

The result is steady or higher profits.