Showing 1 - 10 of 27
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.
Poverty is not a political commodity
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 14/02/2019
» As the election is drawing near, most if not all political parties are making eradicating poverty and closing the economic gap their flagship policy, rolling out enticing populist programmes in the hope of winning the hearts and minds of voters.
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.
Debt woes expose education integrity crisis
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 16/08/2018
» Recent stories about teacher and student loan defaults have shed light on a crisis of integrity within our education system.
Time for new chapter in tackling poverty
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 14/06/2018
» Over the past years the government has boasted of numerous economic advances, including an increase in GDP figures. Yet this does not necessarily bode well for its plan to tackle poverty. In fact, these achievements have exacerbated economic inequality, with farmers now marginalised at the bottom of the social spectrum.
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.
Gap between rich, poor fuels our woes
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 01/09/2017
» For decades, poverty and inequality have been chronic problems which have derailed Thailand's economic growth and fuelled political conflicts and unrest. These problems remain even though about a trillion baht has been collectively spent by many governments to address them. What have we missed or done wrong?
Supercar tax-dodging game far too easy
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 08/06/2017
» The ongoing supercar saga reflects the flaws in the country's tax system and deep-rooted corruption in state mechanisms.
Thaksin share case rocks faith in tax system
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 16/03/2017
» The Revenue Department's failure to collect 12 billion baht in tax from former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has shaken the public's confidence over the transparency, fairness and equity of the country's tax collection system. It stands as a reminder of the need for tax administrative bodies to be independent of political pressure.
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.