Showing 1 - 10 of 20
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.
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.
Wealth gap still endangers democracy
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 24/05/2018
» Time flies. This week marks the fourth year of the military regime under Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha taking power after it ousted the civilian government in a coup in 2014. It's hard to imagine the military could ever have made a comeback to politics after the 1992 uprising when the men in green were forced to go back to the barracks, never mind managing to stay this long.
Healthcare woes never too big to solve
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 23/11/2017
» Anyone who has never had to admit or nurse a loved one at state hospitals in the provinces cannot really understand what it feels like to be in such crowded and cramped state medical facilities.
Rich lobby could derail property tax reform
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 12/10/2017
» Sluggish deliberation of a bill on the proposed land and buildings tax before the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) raises questions whether the law, part of the country's tax reform, will ever come into existence.
Unsustainable welfare a time bomb
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 29/06/2017
» I don't believe any government would be insane enough to revoke the Universal Healthcare Coverage (UC) scheme, also known as the "gold card", or cut the benefits it provides to about 49 million Thais, let alone propose a co-payment scheme as feared by health advocates. Such acts would effectively translate as political suicide.
Reserve tumble doesn't spell fiscal crisis
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 23/02/2017
» The dramatic fall in treasury reserves to 74.9 billion baht last December, the lowest in many years, does not indicate that Thailand is facing a fiscal crisis. However, it does not mean that the Thai government will be immune to fiscal traumas either. Factors that will affect the state's fiscal stability are still out there looming.
His Majesty was our bulwark in times fair or grim
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 03/11/2016
» Seventy years ago, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej started his long journey of working tirelessly for his people. Throughout the country, he travelled to remote and rough areas to meet and hear first-hand accounts of the plight of locals. He waded through numerous jungles and tramped down dusty and muddy roads even though he could have just spent a comfortable life in the palace.
Rice policies must take focus off populism
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 13/10/2016
» Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra has cried foul about the compensation, sought by the current regime, for damages caused by her government's loss-ridden rice-pledging scheme. She should instead have paid heed to concerns over irregularities and the scheme's lack of sustainability when she was in power.