Showing 1 - 10 of 10
Whoever takes office will inherit a mess
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 15/06/2023
» The election result is clear and the MOU to form a 312-seat government in the 500-seat parliament is agreed. But who will lead Thailand and its economy for the next four years is unclear. Whether it will be a pro-equality government, pro-growth government, or even a pro-big-spending government remains in doubt.
New govt faces 4 economic time bombs
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 18/05/2023
» The election result is already out and Thailand is heading for a big policy change. As the party with most seats, the Move Forward Party will form the government. The second place-getter -- the Pheu Thai Party -- has agreed to be in the coalition. These two parties, however, have totally different views on how to run the economy.
A new middle class and core industries
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 04/05/2023
» This article, after a few interruptions, is Part 3 of "Changing Thailand: The Series." It began with a prologue that presented an overview, emphasising that Thailand has been lagging behind its neighbours in terms of per-capita income growth.
How are Thais spending so much now?
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 01/12/2022
» Third-quarter GDP growth for 2022 (Q3/2022) is 4.5% -- substantially higher than the expected 4%. The main driving factor is robust private consumption -- not tourism income -- which expanded 9% in real terms and 15.7% in nominal terms, compared to the same quarter last year. On the surface, this high growth phenomenon may look normal as most Asean countries have enjoyed similar benefits of low Covid infections and pent-up demand. For instance, Malaysia's private consumption also expanded 15.7% in the same third quarter.
Can Omicron spur a Great Depression?
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 02/12/2021
» The emergence of a new Covid-19 variant -- Omicron -- has caused quite a stir globally just as many nations are on the recovery track from the Delta variant. Scientists worry that the latest strain first detected in South Africa has as many as 50 mutations, 32 of them on the spike protein which theoretically makes it much more transmissible than the Delta variant.
Beware of looming labour shortages
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 28/10/2021
» Despite the recent estimation that there are now close to a million unemployed Thai workers, Thai tourism and service industries will face a severe labour shortage of 300,000 to 500,000 people after the relaxation of Covid-19 control measures and the opening up of the country to foreign visitors.
Get past the Thai-China trade deficit
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 16/09/2021
» This is not a China bashing article. The idea for today's article started when the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Speaker of the House cautioned Thais, the press, and members of parliament against criticising Chinese Covid-19 vaccines as it might upset the Thai-China relationship.
Let me play the role of Nostradamus
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 17/12/2020
» Time flies. The dreadful year of 2020 is coming to a close. Therefore, I've decided to have fun by writing something "comical". No earth-shattering economic analysis. That will be the next article. This week I will make educated predictions of things that might happen in the year 2021. I am no fortune teller, but I will try my best.
New Year economic wishfulness
News, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 02/01/2020
» 'Nothing comes from nothing. Nothing ever could." Of course, many will recognise these song lyrics from the motion picture The Sound of Music. But this phrase actually dates back to ancient Greece and the time of Aristotle. It is a foundation of all science: nothing can be created out of nothing. Economic science also follows this principle strictly. For a better economy, we first need a better economic environment. Thus, for a better economy this year, we need a better economic environment than in 2019. Will that be the case for Thailand?
Is it all the Bank of Thailand's fault?
News, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 12/09/2019
» Currently, the two most pressing economic issues in Thailand are the appreciation of the baht and the high level of household debt.