Showing 1 - 10 of 13
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.
Govt needs more than luck with new lottery plan
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 27/06/2019
» The idea of having the Government Lottery Office (GLO) run a two- and three-digit lottery scheme is taking shape once again.
Instability threatens economic growth
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 27/04/2019
» Without decisive winners from the March 24 poll, there are fears that political instability will affect the country's economy. Such concerns are understandable given that three parties, namely the pro-military Palang Pracharath Party, and Pheu Thai Party and Future Forward Party (which brand themselves as the anti-regime camp), are engaging in a post-election tug of war.
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.
Customs not up to speed on supercar scam
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 21/09/2017
» Bangkok shouldn't be an ideal city for high-powered supercars. Given the city's notorious traffic congestion, it is hard to imagine how people can maximise their supercars' engine capacity by driving them at high speed. Yet, luxury cars are still one of the key items possessed by millionaires here.
New property tax bill offers chance to narrow income gap
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 20/07/2017
» What level of wealth should make homeowners liable to the new tax structure? This is a question that members of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) committee vetting a bill on the new land and building tax has been debating.
Bill reins in populist 'mai pen rai' urges
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 27/04/2017
» While mai pen rai, a frequently used Thai expression for "never mind", "it's okay" or "don't worry", may represent the compromising nature of Thais, it also carries a negative connotation of our tendency to skip dealing with a problem or avoid fixing problems where it hurts.
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.
Sommai says Finance Ministry is plugging loopholes
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 21/05/2015
» The harsh punishment imposed on a senior tax officer involved in a value-added tax refund scam indicates how determined Finance Minister Sommai Phasee is in his push for the country’s tax reform to close a loophole that has caused tremendous loss of income to the country.
Time to chart new course over rice fiasco
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 13/03/2014
» After three years under Yingluck Shinawatra and her government's rice-pledging policy, where do we stand today? As if the problems of corruption, gargantuan costs and delays in paying rice farmers their due are not bad enough, consider this headline in the Bangkok Post on Feb 26: "Rice farmers poorest in Asean".