Showing 1 - 7 of 7
Oligarchical market control isn't healthy
Oped, Pavida Pananond, Published on 02/12/2022
» On the face of it, the government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha seems to be saying the right things about sustainable and inclusive growth. The prime minister himself has been touting a Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economic model for Thailand, pitching it as the overarching theme of the recently concluded Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' meeting. Yet, the political economy hidden underneath Gen Prayut's lofty rhetoric is becoming more short-term and exclusive, allowing wealth to be concentrated in fewer hands, giving a handful of conglomerates oligarchical control over the market.
Mega-merger risks Thai digital future
Oped, Pavida Pananond, Published on 26/11/2021
» The Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group is on the move again to swell further in size, weight and power over the market. Having recently acquired Tesco's operations when the British retailer sold out and exited Thailand and Malaysia, CP is now aiming to consolidate its grip on the telecommunications industry in a planned merger between its True Corporation and Total Access Communications (DTAC), the local subsidiary of Norway's Telenor. If successful, the merger would reduce Thailand's major telecom players from three to two and further concentrate market dominance over the telecom market to the detriment of consumer choice and welfare.
Minimising risks of vaccine inequality
Oped, Pavida Pananond, Published on 22/04/2021
» That Thailand is in the midst of a fast-spreading third wave of Covid-19 infections while public vaccine procurement and rollout remain uncertain is indisputable, despite the government's reassurances otherwise.
Tesco buyout gives CP undue power
News, Pavida Pananond, Published on 13/03/2020
» The recent announcement by Charoen Pokphand (CP) group to buy Tesco's operations in Thailand and Malaysia for US$10.6 billion (335 billion baht) marks the retreat of Western retailers' presence in much of Southeast Asia. For Thailand in particular, CP's Tesco buyout comes with added business significance and consumer risks because the giant agribusiness conglomerate will now have undue dominance directly over local supply chains and indirectly over consumer choice and benefit. In this case, it is imperative that Thailand's regulator, the Office of Trade Competition Commission (OTCC), take a hard and close look to make sure CP's good deal does not become a raw deal for local suppliers and Thais.
Finding a place for Thailand's SMEs
News, Pavida Pananond, Published on 23/08/2019
» Thailand's economy appears both odd and contradictory. On one hand, it continues to expand in the 3% range, an appealing growth trend by international standards. On the other hand, cursory and anecdotal evidence suggests the Thai economy is mired in a prolonged malaise.
Role flip sees Thailand buy, invest in US
News, Pavida Pananond, Published on 05/10/2017
» In the new era of international commerce and diplomacy, role reversals are coming up everywhere.
Owning up to Panama Papers in Thailand
News, Pavida Pananond, Published on 19/04/2016
» While the so-called Panama Papers have sent shockwaves through the corridors of power and wealth the world over, their ramifications for Thailand have yet to be laid bare. It has been revealed that 16 or so Thai individuals are implicated but scant details have been put forward. It is almost as if Thailand's high and mighty wishes that this explosive global scandal would just blow over without local consequences.