A New Set of Populist Policies

Latest government measures propose policy measures to help Thailand’s informal workers and reduce economic and social inequalities, as follows:

Has Global Economic Recovery Already Occurred?

Recently, Thailand’s stock index dropped 12.96 points, stopping at 987.77 points; in the same direction as other stock markets in the region; all in response to investor concern over Ireland’s debt problem, plus a possible interest rate increase again by China’s government to control inflation. Due to 4.4% growth in China’s consumer price index (CPI) in October, which was the highest rate in two years period, China therefore increased its interest rate 0.25% in October 2010, for the first time in three years. Moreover, this year, China’s government has already increased the ceiling reserve of commercial banks fives times over.

Theory of Job Seeking: A Proposal for Thailand

A job seeking theory with labor market analysis tools won 2010’s Economics Nobel Prize for Professors Peter Diamond, Dale Montensen and Christopher Pizaridez, answering useful questions for unemployment policy formulation regarding high unemployment rates in the midst of major recruitment searches, and examining economic policy effects on the unemployed.

Theory of Job Seeking: A Proposal for Thailand

Professors Peter Diamond, Dale Montensen and Christopher Pizaridez, winners of 2010’s Nobel Prize in Economics, have developed a job seeking theory and developed labor market analysis tools to answer certain questions about the high rate of unemployment in the midst of major recruitment searches, while also analyzing the effect of economic policies on the unemployed.

Theory of Lion’s Roaring and A Resolution on Baht Appreciation

The current value of the Thai baht has appreciated steadily. Baht appreciation to many people, especially exporters concern that if the government and the Bank of Thailand (BOT) do not yet manage the problem promptly, baht currency will be appreciated to 29 baht per U.S. dollar and may cause crisis in the Thai industry.

Diplomacy on the Energy Issue

Thailand has been facing continuous risks due to the energy issue. Sharp rises in world market oil price have particular impacted the country due to the increase in energy demand as the world economy recovers. Moreover, Thailand is also sensitive to the problem of future energy insecurity, having such problems as an energy consumption structure that mostly relies on imported energy from foreign countries, especially the import of crude oil which is about 95 percent of oil consumption in the country. Inefficient energy usage in the transportation sector and the manufacturing sector, plus energy business monopolies causes distortion in the use and allocation of energy. Challenges also arise from severe environmental problems related to investment and the expansion of the energy business.

The Return of Industrial Policies to Developed Countries

The policy direction of the world’s leading economic giants is now clear. USA’s President Obama recently announced strategic decision-making and large budget for innovative industries, for instance, renewable energy, high speed trains and high tech vehicles. The Japanese Prime Minister wants a new “Japanese company,” to increase business and state inter-connections. The European Union’s industrial policy emphasizes manufacturing sectors more and service and knowledge sectors less.

A Lower-Carbon Economy: The Direction of World Investment in the Future

Reading through the July 2010 edition of the World Investment Report, I found one useful point to have substance, and worth my comment on it.

Expectations for the New BOT Governor

On 1st October 2010, Dr Prasarn Trairatvorakul will replace imminent retiree, Dr Tarisa Wattanaket to become Thailand’s new Bank of Thailand Governor.

Economic and Social Reformation to Overcome Political Crisis

In June 2010, Capital Market Academy (CMA) hosted a seminar on the topic of, “Thailand Turning Point: Economic and Social Reformation Strategies to Overcome Political Crisis.” I was called to moderate this CMA seminar event between student representatives from CMA’s 1st – 10th Class Top Executive Programme, who were all there to express their views.

A Stakeholders’ Matrix for National Reformation

On June 10th, Prime Minister HE Mr Abhisit Vejjajiva, officially advanced Thailand’s National Reformation Plan by appointing Former Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun to lead the Assembly for the Adoption of Strategies for National Reform, with Professor Dr Prawase Wasi leading the Citizens’ Assembly for National Reform. However, before the National Reformation Plan swings underway in January 2011, opinions from stakeholders nationwide are being gathered to solve the nation’s problems. I also have suggestions for the composition of these two Assemblies in order to make long term maximization of the National Reformation Plan for all Thais.

Compensating those affected by the demonstration

A short while ago, various private sector groups came forward to predict the sum of damages inflicted economically by the Ratchaprasong seizure of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), which from April 3rd until now has accrued to 5,244 million baht per month or 174 million baht per day. Besides the closure of hotels, large-scale malls, and smaller stores, many workers went unemployed as day wore onto day.

The Budget Allocation for 2011

Not so long ago, the prime minister announced to parliament that the annual government expenditure for 2011 would be 2.07 trillion baht with a budget deficit of 420,000 million baht or 4.1 percent of GDP. The 2011 annual budget has increased by 370,000 million baht (21.8 percent) of 2010’s annual budget. After this announcement, the opposition party debated the opinion that many facets should be investigated in the government’s allocation of the 2011 budget.

Change Your Business for the Future

Business organizations cannot be passive nowadays but must continuously adjust to the fast changing technology era. Recently, I participated in a program reflecting changes in the current situation. Entitled, “Cross-Boundary Transformation,” the program encourages the self-transformation of organizations for effective work across organizational or national boundaries by using information technology as a necessary tool to drive work across boundaries.

The urgent need to “Rebuild Thailand”

“In the conflict we are facing now, regardless of who wins, the people of Thailand and the country itself will surely lose.”

Structural Analysis of Social Entrepreneurship in Thailand (1) : Hindrances to Becoming a Social Entrepreneur

Having written and spoken much in the past on the conceptual and practical aspects of social entrepreneurship, I now find people more interested in this topic, realizing that sole reliance on the government to solve social problems is slow and incomplete.

Economy Complexity and the Wealth of Nations

Some of us may have heard that countries specializing in production will benefit and be wealthy from trade. However, latest research on the complexity of the economy gives us a different view.

Not just “Creative Economy,” but “Knowledge-Based Economy”

Recently, I expressed my view on “Creative Economy” which is an important economic policy of this government. Personally, my perspective was to first understand the direction of global social development in terms of seven waves from which the world is now poised for the “Fourth Wave,” a “Knowledge-Based Society,” led by innovators who can maximally utilize their knowledge toward daily living that is both productive and highly innovative. If Thailand wants to develop and benefit from this global development trend, the Thai government will have to ride on “The Fourth Wave,” as a Knowledge-Based Economy (Society), not just as a Creative Economy.

Economic Analysis of Global Warming Solutions

In December of last year, a World Climate Change Summit organized by United Nations in Copenhagen, Denmark sought for an agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emission among the developed and developing nations. It seems that the meeting was not able to help solve any problems because there were no resolutions passed by the associate members, and hence no enforcement. Moreover, measures were not tough enough to force a reduction on greenhouse gas emissions, allowing many industries to continue polluting the environment.

Creative and sustainable solutions for the online lottery

Expressing his political stance, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has cancelled online lottery ticket sales via automatic vending machines and agreed to compensate for private contractors and retailers who have already invested in machines. However, this announcement has created waves of dissatisfaction and caused many to think he is insincere because it occurred after one year of government operation.

Thailand’s Economic Direction in 2010

2010 has begun, and after analysis by many, I will now express my opinion on Thailand’s economy outlook for 2010, as follows.