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Oligarchical market control isn't healthy
Oped, Pavida Pananond, Published on 02/12/2022
» On the face of it, the government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha seems to be saying the right things about sustainable and inclusive growth. The prime minister himself has been touting a Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economic model for Thailand, pitching it as the overarching theme of the recently concluded Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' meeting. Yet, the political economy hidden underneath Gen Prayut's lofty rhetoric is becoming more short-term and exclusive, allowing wealth to be concentrated in fewer hands, giving a handful of conglomerates oligarchical control over the market.
Tesco buyout gives CP undue power
News, Pavida Pananond, Published on 13/03/2020
» The recent announcement by Charoen Pokphand (CP) group to buy Tesco's operations in Thailand and Malaysia for US$10.6 billion (335 billion baht) marks the retreat of Western retailers' presence in much of Southeast Asia. For Thailand in particular, CP's Tesco buyout comes with added business significance and consumer risks because the giant agribusiness conglomerate will now have undue dominance directly over local supply chains and indirectly over consumer choice and benefit. In this case, it is imperative that Thailand's regulator, the Office of Trade Competition Commission (OTCC), take a hard and close look to make sure CP's good deal does not become a raw deal for local suppliers and Thais.