Showing 1 - 10 of 13
Thaksin's 'vision' might be outdated
News, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 05/09/2024
» This article is not meant to diminish the brilliance of the spiritual leader of the Pheu Thai Party, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. It is to demonstrate that, despite his immense knowledge and vast experience, Thailand's current economic problems are caused by structural deficiencies and cannot be resolved by traditional stimulus measures. One needs a good understanding of economic principles to approach the problems correctly.
Q2 GDP growth may be misleading
News, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 22/08/2024
» I eagerly awaited the release of the Q2/2024 GDP growth figure which became available on Monday. The 2.3% growth figure, presented by the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), did not surprise me. A friend had warned me that the quarterly growth could be as high as 2.5%, even though my estimation for the quarter was only 1.0%.
20 years of errors can't be fixed easily
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 30/05/2024
» I have a strong feeling that piecemeal measures are what the economy is going to get from the government to combat Thailand's long-standing economic problems.
Better options to govt's cash handout
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 19/10/2023
» The 10,000-baht cash handout scheme has been under heavy criticism. More than 100 economists, led by two ex-Bank of Thailand governors, oppose the scheme that would bring more harm than good.
A tale of liquidity and (too much) debt
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 05/10/2023
» Before starting the article, I want to convey a message to the government. The message is "Nothing is free; everything has to be paid for". Acting like Santa Claus is nice, but the government should be aware that every handout gift comes with a price tag.
Pheu Thai's cash handouts a likely flop
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 24/08/2023
» The title of this article says it all. Pheu Thai Party's flagship economic stimulus policy of handing out 10,000 baht to all Thais aged above 16 years old, with an estimated cost of 560 billion baht, will most likely fail to stimulate (or jump-start) the economy from the recent economic slump.
BMA sorely needs financial advisers
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 22/09/2022
» On Sept 7, 2022, the Central Administrative Court ordered the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA) and its wholly owned subsidiary Krungthep Thanakom (KT) to pay Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company (BTS) back overdue Operating and Maintenance (O&M) fees on extensions 1 and 2 of the Green Line (Sky Train) in the amount of 11.75 billion baht within 180 days.
How far should interest rate hikes go?
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 16/06/2022
» No doubt remains as to whether the Bank of Thailand will raise interest rates. The bank's governor has made it clear they must be raised to deter rising inflation, and that this must be done in a timely manner. Analysts have taken his speech as indicating a 25bp hike will be introduced at the upcoming Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting scheduled for Aug 10.
Beware of looming labour shortages
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 28/10/2021
» Despite the recent estimation that there are now close to a million unemployed Thai workers, Thai tourism and service industries will face a severe labour shortage of 300,000 to 500,000 people after the relaxation of Covid-19 control measures and the opening up of the country to foreign visitors.
Lockdown pain worse than virus?
News, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 23/04/2020
» You have seen it in the news - strings of protests against the Covid-19 lockdowns of cities and countries around the world. Protests ran the gamut from 20 states in the US, to Brazil, India and as far away as Lebanon. To protesters, economic pain is more real than the death threat from the virus. Are these people unreasonable? How could livelihoods be more important than lives?