Showing 1 - 10 of 21
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.
Salt, sugar, grey hair a perfect health storm
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 15/11/2018
» A changing diet in past decades has seen Thai people grow accustomed to consuming too much sugar and salt, negatively impacting their health. This has led to more cases of non-communicable diseases (NCD), heart problems, high-blood pressure and diabetes in state hospitals, which is placing a heavy burden on government spending.
Debt woes expose education integrity crisis
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 16/08/2018
» Recent stories about teacher and student loan defaults have shed light on a crisis of integrity within our education system.
EEC needs political will to succeed
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 25/01/2018
» The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), a project that will strengthen not only the country's economic performance but also its competitiveness, is making rapid progress, which is commendable.
Healthcare woes never too big to solve
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 23/11/2017
» Anyone who has never had to admit or nurse a loved one at state hospitals in the provinces cannot really understand what it feels like to be in such crowded and cramped state medical facilities.
Reform, reform, reform: 3 gates to growth
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 10/08/2017
» Thailand's economic growth has been bogged down in the past decade by political instability. Since the 2014 coup, the military government of Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has managed to stabilise the political climate. But uncertainty prevails when it comes to the country's political future.
Unsustainable welfare a time bomb
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 29/06/2017
» I don't believe any government would be insane enough to revoke the Universal Healthcare Coverage (UC) scheme, also known as the "gold card", or cut the benefits it provides to about 49 million Thais, let alone propose a co-payment scheme as feared by health advocates. Such acts would effectively translate as political suicide.
Weeding out corruption in state enterprises
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 02/02/2017
» The latest saga of bribery scandals involving state enterprises has caused me as much pain as it could possibly inflict on the average Thai.
Rice policies must take focus off populism
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 13/10/2016
» Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra has cried foul about the compensation, sought by the current regime, for damages caused by her government's loss-ridden rice-pledging scheme. She should instead have paid heed to concerns over irregularities and the scheme's lack of sustainability when she was in power.
Serious reform bids finally put on the table
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 01/09/2016
» The Ministry of Finance in recent years has come up with numerous fiscal reforms, including new tax measures, aimed to enhance Thailand's competitiveness and strengthen the economy. During this course of reforms, the ministry cannot afford to overlook the need for improved transparency, which is one of the most important reform aspects, within its own organisations.