Showing 1 - 10 of 13
In an uncertain world, gold is a comfort
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 05/02/2026
» With Thai citizens heading to the polls this Sunday to decide which party will form the next government, I have decided to postpone my article on the economic crisis for another two weeks.
2026 will be a year of debt struggles
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 08/01/2026
» Forget GDP growth. Forget tourist arrivals. Forget export figures. In 2026, Thailand's overriding economic challenge will not be growth but debt repayment.
VAT hikes alone won't narrow deficit
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 27/11/2025
» This article is not meant to attack Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas’s Medium-Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF) for the fiscal years from 2026 to 2030. It is meant to emphasise the fragility of a Thai fiscal position that requires multiple revenue enhancement measures.
Digital wallet tokens could hit scheme
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 08/08/2024
» I bet the government never thought of this when they thought of the Digital Wallet scheme. It probably does not make sense to it that there could be millions of people shunning pseudo money, namely Digital Wallet Tokens (DWTs). Perhaps, in the government's mind, a DWT is almost on a par with genuine money -- fiat money.
Debt crisis looms as politicians fiddle
News, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 29/06/2023
» While politicians are fighting for power to rule this country, the economy may unknowingly be entering a debt crisis. There was a piece of news a couple of weeks ago which passed without much notice amid sizzling political stories. It was news of the automobile loan default problem.
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.
B600 minimum wage is quite doable
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 15/12/2022
» The most debated economic topic of the month must be Pheu Thai Party's campaign promise to raise the minimum wage to 600 baht per day by 2027, from the current minimum wage of 354 baht.
World economy downhill from here
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 17/11/2022
» When I planned for this week's article, I wanted to write about the illusions of today's economic picture such as the robust GDP growth in emerging economies, declining inflation rates, booming travel business, strengthening of the Thai baht, and so on. But even with the economic data and theories to back up my claims, who would believe me? Who would believe that the current robust demand is nothing but an example of short-term, pent-up demand after two years of the Covid-19 outbreak? Who would consider the fact that consumers have no increased purchasing power to sustain today's level of consumption? Most of all, who would imagine that things would change drastically in the fourth quarter after consumers face the reality of a higher cost of living and stagnant income?
Weighing the value of cryptocurrencies
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 16/12/2021
» I am sure that almost everybody has heard about cryptocurrencies. Some might even be investing in them. But few understand what are they really for and, most importantly, how should they be valued? As of Dec 15, one Bitcoin had a market price of US$48,144 (slightly over 1.6 million baht per coin).
Covid-19 stimulus may sink economy
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 09/04/2020
» It is undeniable the Covid-19 outbreak is wreaking havoc on economies worldwide. To lessen the pain on their citizens and prevent economic free-fall into the recession trap, most governments are rolling out stimulus packages, typically consisting of cash handouts, wage compensation and concessional loans.