Showing 31 - 40 of 61
The farming sector needs change, now
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 24/11/2016
» With just about one year left in office, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his government will have to give a high priority to existing problems in agriculture -- especially the falling price of rice. Thai farmers have suffered financial hardship due to repeated crises over low rice prices. The government's failure to address the problems in a timely manner will make its economic development goals hard to achieve.
Jury still out on government's ability to lift economy
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 22/09/2016
» With the Prayut Chan-o-cha government in charge for more than two years, the Thai economy still hangs in the balance. Even though the government has managed to lift the country out of the economic stagnation we experienced before the 2014 coup, it has failed to accelerate growth.
Serious reform bids finally put on the table
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 01/09/2016
» The Ministry of Finance in recent years has come up with numerous fiscal reforms, including new tax measures, aimed to enhance Thailand's competitiveness and strengthen the economy. During this course of reforms, the ministry cannot afford to overlook the need for improved transparency, which is one of the most important reform aspects, within its own organisations.
Thais opt for quick fix over full democracy
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 11/08/2016
» The results of Sunday's constitutional referendum demonstrate a critical reversion of political thought among Thai voters. In voting for a less democratic draft constitution, they have made it clear they prefer immediate remedies for political and economic woes rather than fully-fledged democracy.
Our elderly must have a safety net
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 21/07/2016
» Thailand's success in reducing fertility levels in the past few decades has brought it an unavoidable consequence -- a rising ageing population. The sheer size demands state measures to enable Thailand to be better prepared for dealing with an ageing society.
Thai governments are failing our farmers
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 30/06/2016
» Just like its predecessors, the Prayut Chan-o-cha government has over the past years injected large sums of cash into the rural economy, channelling a total of 143 billion baht through different forms of funds and soft loans. More recently, the cabinet on June 21 decided to revitalise the rural economy with another 45 billion baht in the form of aid schemes, subsidies and soft loans, in an attempt to assist farmers who are feeling the pinch of the worst drought in a decade and sagging prices of farm products.
Sommai tax idea was sound -- this one isn't
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 21/04/2016
» The proposed land and buildings tax which will be imposed on property with an appraisal price of 50 million baht or higher attests to the fact that "fiscal reform" is just lip service.
As ageing society approaches, fiscal reform needed
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 31/03/2016
» At a glance, despite public debt accounting for 44% of GDP, it appears the government remains safe from the immediate risk of fiscal crises and is still able to acquire low-interest loans from domestic sources.
Effective tax reform for a more genuine democracy
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 18/02/2016
» A plan by the Revenue Department to reform the country's tax system is well under way.
Development bank poised to drive businesses once again
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 07/01/2016
» Almost from ashes, the once-ailing Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand (SME Bank) has eventually made an impressive turnaround and looks set to resume its role as a financial institution to drive small- and medium-sized businesses into prosperity.