Showing 1 - 10 of 15
China's mighty Belt and Road ambitions
Business, Tientip Subhanij, Published on 26/05/2017
» Two weekends ago, China put on a massive show when world leaders gathered in Beijing for the Belt and Road Forum to hear President Xi Jinping outline his plan for a grand project: the Belt and Road Initiative.
Lessons from a competitive and happy place
Business, Tientip Subhanij, Published on 28/10/2016
» What is the most competitive and happy place in the world? Last month the World Economic Forum (WEF) has named Switzerland the most competitive country for the eighth consecutive year -- ahead of Singapore (2), the United States (3), the Netherlands (4) and Germany (5). Switzerland also ranked first in four out of 12 pillars of the Global Competitiveness Index -- in the categories of innovation, business sophistication, technological readiness and labour market efficiency.
Immigration and economic development
Business, Tientip Subhanij, Published on 03/10/2016
» I happened to be at an Apple store in the US when the iPhone 7 was launched. The store was certainly one of the busiest in town that day. I was there for an iPad, which was lucky because almost immediately after the new iPhones went on sale, they sold out.
Japanese tourism as a new growth driver
Business, Tientip Subhanij, Published on 27/11/2015
» It's been more than 20 years since I last went to Japan. I had been meaning to return several times, especially after the Japanese government waived the visa requirement for Thai tourists, but somehow I never managed to go.
Time to tap the power of microfinance for SMEs
Business, Tientip Subhanij, Published on 30/10/2015
» At a time of slow economic growth, it is welcome news that the government has recognised small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) development as an important economic policy priority. It has rightly pointed out that Thailand needs more new businesses to jump-start economic activity and move the economy forward.
India: The world's next shining star
Business, Tientip Subhanij, Published on 31/07/2015
» Good news is hard to find these days, especially in Thailand. Our exports tumbled 7.87% in June, resulting in a 4.84% contraction in US dollar value in the first six months of the year. Meanwhile, the stock market is falling almost every day as corporate earnings weaken.
What the future could hold for Thailand: A country with vision
Business, Tientip Subhanij, Published on 27/03/2015
» 'A life without purpose is a life without destination. A country with no direction is like a boat moved by random currents into any harbour."
The world is getting spooky this Halloween
Business, Tientip Subhanij, Published on 31/10/2014
» Halloween is here. My mother-in-law in the US is busy picking out pumpkins for the day. Her grandchildren are busy dressing up as ghosts and witches on one of the oldest of Western holidays. Each year on Oct 31, children in costumes go from door to door to collect treats from their neighbours, while adults spend the night at frightening Halloween parties. I also have plans this Halloween and am looking forward to a good laugh.
Thai democracy: The end or the beginning?
Business, Tientip Subhanij, Published on 30/05/2014
» A lot of things have happened this month. For a start, I am one year older and, hopefully, happier. I also finally got started on doing many things I had long wanted to do but kept putting off. On a broader level, the Thai economy is doing even worse than expected — it contracted by 0.6% in the first quarter from a year earlier. More surprising was last week’s swift coup, transformed so quickly from a state of nationwide martial law.
Secular stagnation and endless protests
Business, Tientip Subhanij, Published on 29/11/2013
» Once again, it has been a terrible month for Thai politics. Tension is building up everywhere. After the conflict over a wide-ranging amnesty bill that would have eased former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's return to the country, even greater opposition mounted over the Constitution Court ruling on the charter amendment bill. One thing led to another. Now tens of thousands of protesters have gathered for massive anti- and pro-government rallies, the biggest we have seen in three years.