Thai politics

Q and A: Thaksin Sits Down With Forbes, 2012

By oldexp, Created on: 01/03/2014, Last updated on: 02/03/2014

» Time and again this interview (http://www.forbes.com/sites/timferguson ... ith-forbes) pops up among the comments to some article. Would BP or someone else with knowledge please bring light to his part: Q. Have you ever got your money from the Shin Corp process back? A. I got back part of it, about...

• Eric commented : It is actually very straight forward. The Shin Corp deal with Temasek was worth 2.3 B in 2006 and the Supreme court confiscated 1.4 B leaving 900 M. It took a while for the court process to release the fund and this is the 1B he was referring to. Perhaps he round it up or there were interest accrued. If there was any hanky panky, would you think any of his enemies would have pick it up?

• 2 replies, 10,445 views

Thai politics

Reform?

By Luvtat, Created on: 23/01/2014, Last updated on: 29/06/2014

» For those you who think reform can be done overnight think again. Reform may take years to get done, but if the new Pm asks the courts to help and the courts limit the powers of the PM and MP's to create laws and schemes then it might be done within a year or two. But it would need the help of all...

• Eric commented : Corruption reform by the unprecedented appointed people reform government will only worsen corruption said Professor Pasak from the Chulalongkorn U and I totally agree. The total lack of laws and regulations by this kind of reform committee will only create loopholes for corruption. The PDRC should follow what India corruption activist Arvind did which is to form the Aam Aadmi Party, win an election which he did and implement the changes democratically. In the first place, Suterp is a wrong guy to lead or champion corruption reform. He has been part and parcel of the corruption landscape in Thailand for too long and it is so obvious that he is in cahoot with the Dem Party and the establishment to grab political power. When the dust settle after this latest political tension and whoever gain control of the government, corruption will be back in business and reform will be painfully slow . If Lee Kuan Yew can transformed Singapore to where it is now, there is still hope for Thailand. Just need the right leadership.

• 12 replies, 25,081 views

Buying property + home in Thailand : issues + guidelines

Thai spouse buying a condo

By col, Created on: 02/06/2011, Last updated on: 10/03/2015

» Hi, can anyone help regarding the buying of a condo by my thai wife of which only 20% of the building is foreign owned, the condo owner and the land office say i need to sign a document (as it is regarding buying land) stating that my wife is not buying it in proxy for me. As i could put the condo...

• Eric commented : Col, this just don't made sense at all. First, regulation for condo and landed property are different. For condo, there is no land rights and foreigners can purchase. That your Thai wife is buying mades the transaction even more simplier. There's no need to sign anything, period. They are making this looks complicated so they can profit from it. Don't fall for it.

• 6 replies, 77,013 views

Thai airports, trains, buses, public transport

Airport immigration

By Mr.John, Created on: 01/03/2011, Last updated on: 12/02/2015

» Passengers continually complain about queuing up for extended periods at immigration at Suvarnabhumi airport. How long have you waited? Please share your experience, views and suggestions on the airport immigration with us below.

• Eric commented : Singapore Changi Airport pride themself on this benchmark of 30 minutes from arrival, immigration and getting your check-in bags and exiting the airport. Most time that I travel there, it pass the benchmark. Sadly, most time it takes from 30 to 45 minutes pass Suvarnabumi immigration and you still have to wait for your bags. Approx total time slightly more than an hour.

• 7 replies, 27,758 views

Thai business stories

Choosing cheap Chinese Products over Thai jobs

By needchange, Created on: 17/10/2010, Last updated on: 24/11/2015

» Everyone knows the story of what has been happening in the US in terms of the trade deficit with China. If you go to Walmart, almost every product sold there comes from China. Walmart is America's biggest retailer if I'm correct. The trend is the same at many other retailers around the country. So...

• Eric commented : I do believed that the China trend is slowly changing both from external pressures as well as internal pressures. We know that economics play a big role with cheaper labour costs, under-value Yuan and compromising costs to quality. However past few years have seen headline news on toxic milk, non-compliance construction materials and lead filled toys and consumers are starting to ask questions and obviously buying less. To China's government credit, they have started to tightened regulations and reining in the offenders with very serious punishments. Wages in China are starting to creep upwards especially along the coastal provinces and inland manufacturers which have cheaper labour costs will have to factor the high transportation costs to export. The Yuan has also appreciated from RMB8+ to 6+ against the greenback in last 5 years and more countries are making noise and forcing the Yuan to strengthen; perhaps not very soon but certainly in the near future.China needs a strong Yuan to increase its domestic consumption so it need not depend too much on the export sector. In short, China will not be a low and cheap production base in next 5 years. Chinese manufacturers knows that and are feeling the upward cost pressures and are either moving to the inland west or move to cheaper locations like Vietnam, Cambodia or Laos. In fact, these countries will be more of a threat to Thailand then China in the near future for low cost products.

• Eric commented : If we think USA future is in manufacturing, we are staring at a dim future as it highly mobile towards lower operating costs and in this thread towards China. USA has the best universities in the world, most of the fortune 500 companies and global brands, largest financial system and an innovative and entrepreneural spirit & culture. Innovation is USA biggest asset. Over the decades, USA has given the world countless innovative products and created jobs. However, the spirit of innovation seem lost with just too much government intervention and regulation on business. R &D in USA has dropped to 2.5% of GDP and not ranked in the world top 5 while China spend more % of GDP. Cheap products from China will be transitional as they moved up the quality chain just like Japan or Korea. Just not too long ago, we viewed products from these countries as cheap and inferior. If China is to be successful economically and politically, they have to move up the value chain and produced compliance products. They can't have the image of corporate China that produce cheap, inferior & non complaince products which will be an economic disaster.

• Eric commented : Bew, if you want to create jobs, you may want to re-consider the electronic industry. The electronic industry and the rest of the manufacturing industry only employ 14% of the total Thailand workforce. In contrast, the agriculture and the service sector employs 49% and 37% respectively. Could this be the influence towards the Thailand government strategies and policies? I am also trying to come to terms on the notion that the electronic industry is not on the government radar sight when we have the exports of integrated circuits & parts were the notable standout together with automobiles in the basket of growing export items for 2010. Thailand got to plan their developement in accordance to their strength and resources and not by following other success story.

• 48 replies, 211,938 views

Thai news stories

Thai infrastructure

By drake, Created on: 13/08/2010, Last updated on: 11/11/2013

» [quote:31gxfa6m]by drake on Thu Aug 12, 2010 1:21 pm How about industrial infrastructure instead of govt. admin ? The ppl might get some real skills then. by Voice on Thu Aug 12, 2010 11:07 pm I do agree with you there drake Thailand need much of those infrastructure like railway and better motoway...

• Eric commented : Micheal Bukit, a well written posting. Just a correction on your post about the British returning Singapore back to Malaysia. Singapore was not a part of Malaya (not Malaysia) then. Singapore negotiated with Malaya together with Sabah and Sarawak to form Malaysia as Singapore had no source of revenue. Malaysia was coined by adding Malaya to Singapore. That Singapore has to break away had lots to do with the growing influence of the PAP which is mostly Chinese in Malay dominated Malaysia. However you also is right to said that some demands from Singapore were just too much for Tungku Adul Rahman to accept. Also, I though a mentioned of names of the visonary & capable individuals who brought Singapore to its current success story is appropriate. Lee (PM) and Goh (economic architect) must be credited with Singapore success.

• 24 replies, 34,169 views

Thai legal issues and laws

Terrorism warrant

By taurus, Created on: 25/05/2010, Last updated on: 30/05/2010

» [quote="shell_collector":1dwlq267]Special investigations chief Tharit Pengdit told reporters there is enough evidence to believe that Mr. Thaksin was the mastermind behind mass protests in Bangkok by the anti-government Red Shirt movement.[/quote:1dwlq267] Of course SC you appear to have...

• Eric commented : The world community should be able to distinquish what constitute a terrorist act after years of living with the Teleban & Al-Qaeda. They probably will sniff at Thailand defination of terrorism and will brush it off as a charge only for domestic consumption & to justify the miltary actions. Worse, they see this as a political persecution of the Reds and Taksin. Don't hold your breathe expecting Kasit to be successful in his personal vendatta to extradite Taksin.

• 6 replies, 12,812 views

Domestic / cross cultural issues - Thai / Foreigner concerns

foreigners have got no rights?

By majoy, Created on: 24/03/2010, Last updated on: 12/04/2010

» We moved to this new house six months ago and everything is fine except for the noisy dogs next door. I spoke to the owner and asked if they could make their dogs quiet and she said it's not their dogs fault but the dog opposite who always stand outside their gate and make their dogs bark...how ridiculous!...

• Eric commented : I do suggest being nice and neighbourly will solve the problems better than confrontational especially in Thailand. Thais are by nature nice people but if they are confronted by agression, can be very nasty. I too am a foreigner living in the midst of Thai families and had my fair share of noisy neighbours. They likely to be more condescending when you showed similar attitude.

• 47 replies, 107,464 views

Domestic / cross cultural issues - Thai / Foreigner concerns

Can't take it anymore

By trojan, Created on: 21/07/2009, Last updated on: 01/01/2011

» I'm curious to know if anyone feels they can't take anymore of the lack of freedom of speech and corruption in Thailand. Maybe you've already packed up and moved on or are seriously contemplating it because of the above reasons or even know people that have left for similar reasons. Personally I've...

• Eric commented : I would say that strong family values and good parenting rather than the environment will shape your child better in every place or country.

• Eric commented : I don't think a child in his or her schooling years will be too interested in politics. Rather they will be more concern about their favourite pop star and finding their bff. Neither will he or she be too involved in corruption. I would therefore agree that schooling environment is very important and an international school is definitely a good idea. Most Asia schools study by route learning and very little of critical learning. A international school has that element.

• 13 replies, 48,430 views

Domestic / cross cultural issues - Thai / Foreigner concerns

Home Sweet Home - Thailand vs Malaysia?

By GerBo, Created on: 08/08/2009, Last updated on: 28/04/2010

» I live now exactly 2 years in Thailand with my Thai spouse and see the following things in this 'Land of Smile' to foreigners. I see it sometimes more as discrimination of foreigners in this country. 1. VISA-paper work to overreacting and very unfriendly; 2. Very tough to open a initial savingsaccount...

• Eric commented : It's not easy to find one Shangrila. Malaysian live in fear of crime and the police. That's the sad fact of life in Malaysia. Crime is a big concern and is rising. Petty crimes like snatch, carnapping,theft are serious concerns even among its citizens. It has gone so bad that some Malaysian will rather stay home. The index for Public Safety is sliding downwards. It is turning into a police state with the man in bue serving and protecting their political masters than seving & protecting its citizenz. This was qouted by former PM, Mahatir. We will not have this forum without a knock on the door by the police. Speaking out could land you in jail by courtesy of the dreaded ISA. Peaceful demonstraion is deal with a heavy hand and under the Police Act, no demonstration by more than 3 people is allowed without a permit. Most likely, they will not give you a permit. Than you have the JAIS religous watchdog and RELA (a kind of vigilante) which trip mentioned who acts arbitarily and hand out their own idiosyncratic arrests and punisments. I know all this because I stayed in Malaysia for 15 years before coming to Thailand.

• 13 replies, 26,852 views

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