Showing 1 - 10 of 59
Thai economic revival at stake in poll
Oped, Pavida Pananond, Published on 11/05/2023
» As voters go to the poll this Sunday, everything that matters for the people of this country is on the line, from structural reforms of political institutions and a constitutional rewrite to welfare policies to address income inequality.
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.
'You cannot survive': Inflation bites as election looms
Published on 25/09/2022
» Sheltering from rain near Bangkok's Grand Palace, scores of unemployed Thais queue alongside homeless people waiting for free meals as 14-year-high inflation sends living costs soaring -- causing a headache for the government ahead of a looming general election.
Mega-merger risks Thai digital future
Oped, Pavida Pananond, Published on 26/11/2021
» The Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group is on the move again to swell further in size, weight and power over the market. Having recently acquired Tesco's operations when the British retailer sold out and exited Thailand and Malaysia, CP is now aiming to consolidate its grip on the telecommunications industry in a planned merger between its True Corporation and Total Access Communications (DTAC), the local subsidiary of Norway's Telenor. If successful, the merger would reduce Thailand's major telecom players from three to two and further concentrate market dominance over the telecom market to the detriment of consumer choice and welfare.
Transparency essential for reopening
Oped, Published on 01/10/2021
» As the reopening of the economy has become imperative, living with the Covid-19 pandemic has become a reality. But the balance between risks and opportunities must be calibrated with transparency and accountability. As Thailand's Covid numbers seem to be more than meets the eye, the government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has the responsibility to keep the public squarely informed. While moving on alongside Covid is unavoidable, the public needs to know that Thailand's virtual strategy now is to rely on vaccinations and immunity from catching the virus itself as infections and fatalities will rise.
Asean matters to America
Asia focus, Published on 30/08/2021
» The pandemic has been causing many parts of the world to drift away from each other amid distancing and lockdowns, but the US-Asean relationship is bucking the trend.
Thai economy out of sync, out of sight?
Oped, Pavida Pananond, Published on 27/08/2021
» The changing nature of globalisation, compounded by pandemic-induced disruptions require a rethink of Thailand's place and direction in the global economy. Already hampered by pre-Covid trends of global slowdown in trade and investment, the economy is facing tougher challenges as the pandemic has forced multinational companies to reconsider their supply chain configuration. The changing contours of the global economy on the one hand and ongoing political tensions at home that have delayed much-needed structural reforms on the other are becoming a perfect storm that could blow away Thailand's chances of maintaining its once central role in Southeast Asia's economic dynamism.
Govt's shambolic jabs plan is 'un-Thai'
Oped, Published on 07/05/2021
» The government's planned procurement and distribution of Covid-19 vaccines has become a saga that keeps circulating in news headlines. For much of last year, Thailand was lauded worldwide for its ability to contain the Covid-19 virus. But as the coronavirus pandemic increasingly moves from the virus stage to vaccine procurement and mass inoculation, Thailand faces a double whammy with a virus surge and vaccine scarcity. Unless the government changes course quickly, it risks gambling national health and local lives for what looks like a shambolic vaccine strategy.
Minimising risks of vaccine inequality
Oped, Pavida Pananond, Published on 22/04/2021
» That Thailand is in the midst of a fast-spreading third wave of Covid-19 infections while public vaccine procurement and rollout remain uncertain is indisputable, despite the government's reassurances otherwise.
Short-sighted Thai vaccine plans
Oped, Published on 02/04/2021
» In a rush to reopen its economy and hard-hit tourism industry after more than a year of Covid-19 doldrums, Thailand has come up with misguided priorities in vaccine allocation and distribution. As vaccine rollouts in other countries appear structured and methodical based on objective criteria, Thailand's early approach is decidedly subjective and arbitrary in favour of economic interests over public health risks. Unless this direction is corrected and rebalanced, the risks to public health will mount and could end up undermining the economic recovery.