Showing 1 - 10 of 30
Forest clampdown hurts poor
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 11/09/2016
» For the past 39 years, Anutas Pleeta's family have made a living out of growing para rubber on their four-rai plantation in the southern province of Phangnga. By this time of the year, the trees would have been ready for tapping and Mr Anutas would have had more money to support his family of five, who currently live off an average income of 45,000 baht per year -- less than half the daily minimum wage -- from rubber grown on another six rai of land.
Farming out new ideas, or replanting old seeds?
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 02/11/2014
» The Prasert Singsuksri family has farmed rice for four generations in Ayutthaya's Bang Sai district, where a typical pioneer farm during his grandfather's era would start out with 5-10 rai of land.
Rise of the rural middle class
Spectrum, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 10/08/2014
» Outside the Central department store in Ubon Ratchathani, a black Mercedes-Benz S-Class with yellow Lao licence plates drove from the car park. It was a Wednesday, but at weekends, a security guard told me, some 20% of the vehicles parked here are from Laos, many of which are European cars travelling to the northeastern province through Pakse or Mukdahan.
Come out and play
Business, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 20/01/2014
» They usually use their muscles to knead customers, but during the week-long Bangkok shutdown, some of the masseurs and masseuses on Silom Road have been using their skills in a different way _ hammering out dishes of somtam (spicy papaya salad) instead.
Nesac urges eight key measures for government
Business, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 11/01/2014
» Business leaders yesterday proposed eight major tasks the new government needs to achieve on top of reconciliation.
SMEs upbeat on outlook for growth
Business, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 25/12/2013
» The gross domestic product (GDP) of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is expected to grow by more than 4% in 2014 on the back of an economic rebound, says the Office of Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion (Osmep).
Sugar subsidies poised to rise
Business, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 15/10/2013
» Delayed reforms and the government's plan to encourage farmers to switch from growing rice to sugar cane will drive up state sugar subsidies, says the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI).
State should think small, says analyst
Business, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 11/07/2013
» The government should focus less on populist policies and more on allocating a large budget to develop small infrastructure projects to stimulate growth, says a leading economist.
Soaring silk prices lead to surge in number of farmers
Business, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 07/05/2013
» A surge in silk yarn prices in the last two years has attracted more silk farmers, according to the Queen Sirikit Department of Sericulture (QSDS).
FTI urges slashing interest rate to 2%
Business, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Published on 23/04/2013
» The private sector will submit a letter today asking the Bank of Thailand to cut the interest rate from 2.75% to at least 2% to rein in the strong baht.