Showing 1 - 10 of 13
Proxy vote saga puts entire economy at great risk
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 30/01/2020
» As the Constitutional Court yesterday accepted a request by House Speaker Chuan Leekpai to rule on the validity of the 2020 budget bill, the fate of public spending and investment now hang in the balance, thanks to proxy voting by government coalition MPs which has put the legality of the bill in question.
Stimulus a band-aid for gaping wounds
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 28/11/2019
» Despite several "stimulus" measures launched by the government in the past year, the Thai economy is still being buffeted by the volatility of international trade. This year's growth projection has been adjusted to a level much lower than previous predictions due to a slowdown in exports, which account for 70% of the economy.
Welfare not a banquet, but a necessity
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 07/03/2019
» The ongoing election campaign is seeing all competing political parties make ambitious promises to turn Thailand into a welfare state to entice their prospective supporters.
Rethinking our attitude towards populism
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 06/12/2018
» The new package intended for the poor, valued at 38 billion baht issued by the Prayut Chan-o-cha administration ahead of the election, is seen by critics as a populist tactic aimed at maximising political gain. Yet in my opinion, it's time we took a new look or changed our attitude toward populist policies. The fact is that all governments, elected or not, tend to embrace populism and even though some packages may not benefit the middle class, populist policies are just inevitable.
Salt, sugar, grey hair a perfect health storm
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 15/11/2018
» A changing diet in past decades has seen Thai people grow accustomed to consuming too much sugar and salt, negatively impacting their health. This has led to more cases of non-communicable diseases (NCD), heart problems, high-blood pressure and diabetes in state hospitals, which is placing a heavy burden on government spending.
BoT right in fending off property bubble
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 25/10/2018
» The Bank of Thailand (BoT) deserves praise for warning about the risk of a speculative bubble in the property sector, in particular from mushrooming condominium projects.
Looking forward to a THAI miracle
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 27/09/2018
» As THAI's new management team is struggling to get the ailing flag carrier back in the black by 2022, the public looks on with anxiety. Will there be a miracle?
Savvy excise tax hike going up in smoke
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 06/09/2018
» I have a strong reason to oppose the recent decision by the Finance Ministry to delay an increase in excise tax on cigarettes for another two years, from next year to October 2021. The delay doesn't spell good news for the state coffers, which is one consideration. Another concern is that it would deal a harsh blow to the state's efforts to discourage young smokers.
Act now on ageing society before it's too late
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 05/07/2018
» In the next three years, people aged over 60 in Thailand will account for 13.8 million, or 20% of the population. This means in a group of five, there will be one elderly person. In demographic science, a country where 20% of its people are aged 60 years old or higher is categorised as an ageing society.
EEC needs political will to succeed
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 25/01/2018
» The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), a project that will strengthen not only the country's economic performance but also its competitiveness, is making rapid progress, which is commendable.