Showing 1 - 10 of 31
State rushes to complete studies on CPTPP pact
Business, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 14/04/2021
» The Finance Ministry is speeding up its study on the pros and cons of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), as well as working on protective measures to cushion against the impact of the pact if Thailand decides to join.
Finance: Political worries hold back fiscal stimulus
Business, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 25/01/2021
» Thailand remains conservative regarding its public debt-to-GDP ceiling because of concerns over a domestic political backlash, even as other countries have already raised their debt ceilings to counter the crisis, says a ministerial source.
Striving for a more balanced economy
Oped, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 14/05/2020
» In its bid to alleviate the economic damage from the coronavirus pandemic through the 1-trillion-baht borrowing scheme, the Prayut Chan-o-cha government aims to provide immediate relief to millions who are in trouble, and also restore the grassroots economy, with a view to better balancing the economic system, so it depends less on exports and tourism.
Over 1m appeal cash handout rejection
Business, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 22/04/2020
» More than 1 million applicants rejected for the 5,000-baht monthly cash handout submitted appeals online in the two days since the government opened the appeal process, says the Finance Ministry.
Political instability adds to viral woes
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 05/03/2020
» The economy weakened last year thanks to the Sino-US trade war. This year, its health could worsen further due to two emerging factors. One is the Covid-19 outbreak which has hit the country's tourism industry hard. Another is potential political turmoil signalled by a series of "flash mobs" of students which gathered after the Constitutional Court's ruling to dissolve the Future Forward Party (FFP). If the rallies continue unabated, this year's growth could be worse than analysts predict.
Finance Ministry looks for budget stopgap
Business, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 27/01/2020
» The Finance Ministry is considering the possibility of borrowing under the Public Debt Management Act to finance new state investment projects in case the 3.2-trillion-baht budget expenditure for fiscal 2020 hits further snags.
High-income goal needs a reality check
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 31/10/2019
» Thailand "will become a high-income country by 2036", said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, as he spoke of his "Vision 2036" at the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York last month.
PDMO sees debt-to-GDP ratio at 47%
Business, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 23/08/2019
» The Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) estimates the country's average ratio of public debt-to-GDP at 46.7% over the next five years assuming an average budget deficit of 500 billion baht a year.
Chronic deficits eating up budget
Business, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 31/07/2019
» Running a chronic budget deficit is estimated to increase the ratio of debt obligations in annual budget spending to 10.9% in 2023 from 8.7% this fiscal year, according to the Finance Ministry's latest report on the state's fiscal position.
Good governance sorely lacking at state-run banks
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 25/07/2019
» During parliamentary debates on the Prayut Chan-o-cha government's policy statement, scheduled for tomorrow and Friday, the state-run Krung Thai Bank's (KTB) 9.9-billion-baht loan scandal will likely be taken up by the opposition targeting one cabinet member, Finance Minister and Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader Uttama Savanayana. When the loan was approved in 2003, Mr Uttama was an executive board member of the bank.