Showing 1 - 10 of 20
Taxing for a more equal society
Business, Tientip Subhanij, Published on 25/08/2017
» The issue of fairness is an important aspect in our everyday life. The conflicts that arise and the anger that permeates our society come largely from the perceived unfairness that exists when we compare our lives to those of others -- often in terms of income, wealth or opportunities.
Mid-year economic outlook: Growing with a bubble?
Business, Tientip Subhanij, Published on 30/06/2017
» For the first time in several years, the World Bank has not adjusted its global growth forecast downward, even though there are signs of new risks. It foresees the world economy recording solid growth of 2.7% this year, improving to 2.9% in 2018 and 2019 -- thanks to the improving performance of large emerging economies such as China, India and Russia and a recovery in world trade after two bad years.
What makes a happy country?
Business, Tientip Subhanij, Published on 31/03/2017
» Happiness is a state of mind. It can also be a place. So where do happy people live? The UN answered this question in its World Happiness Report released last week to celebrate the International Day of Happiness on March 20. The report has been around since 2012, thanks to Bhutan's initiating the launch of an international focus on happiness.
Investment: A great rotation and a market bull run?
Business, Tientip Subhanij, Published on 24/02/2017
» I started investing in the stock market a long time ago and I have been through many ups and downs of stock market cycles. Given the experience, I am generally quite resilient when it comes to stock market crashes. In the nearly 10 years since the subprime crisis in 2008, the Thai stock market has performed very well. In fact, if you had been investing in Thai equities since then, you would have received a total return including dividends much higher than if you had invested in any other neighbouring countries. Over the past year alone, the SET index has gone up 22.6%.
The gig economy and the future of work
Business, Tientip Subhanij, Published on 29/07/2016
» For the past several years, I've spent a lot of time thinking about why we have to work the way we do. Why do we need to be in the same place from 9-5 for five days a week to do our jobs, when we could be anywhere in the world and still deliver exactly the same output? Why shouldn't we take on inspiring new projects whenever we want and work the hours that suit us?
An older, smaller world
Business, Tientip Subhanij, Published on 25/03/2016
» My grandmother just celebrated her 94th birthday this month. She is one of the lucky 0.2% of people aged over 90 in the world. Despite the more frequent economic and social crises that we face these days, we are actually living longer and healthier lives. The global median age has increased from 23.5 years in 1950 to 29.6 today and is projected to increase to 36.1 by 2050. This is also associated with a significant gain in global life expectancy -- from 47 years in the early 1950s to 70.5 today.
Negative interest rates: another new normal?
Business, Tientip Subhanij, Published on 26/02/2016
» I went to the bank the other day and found one of the accounts I had put aside for many years had hardly increased in value. I never used to think much about my savings in the bank, as I always assumed that over time, money would work for you.
When less could be more: Let's enjoy life in 2016
Business, Tientip Subhanij, Published on 01/02/2016
» I really like the first month of a new year, especially the first day. It feels like there is plenty of time left to begin doing new things and to consider the big picture. And even though the long holiday is over, there is no need to feel sorry. This is because more are around the corner -- Chinese New Year in February and the Thai New Year in April.
Goodbye 2015: A farewell to easy money
Business, Tientip Subhanij, Published on 25/12/2015
» This Christmas marks the beginning of the end to an unprecedented era of easy money, a period in which businesses, investors and consumers had access to credit at cheaper prices. The US Federal Reserve last week voted unanimously to raise key interest rate by a quarter-percentage point after keeping rates near zero since the subprime crisis. The last increase was almost a decade ago in June 2006 -- a year before the first iPhone was released.
Life after the eventual Fed rate hike
Business, Tientip Subhanij, Published on 25/09/2015
» People often ask me what will happen to the value of the baht. After the US Federal Reserve's decision to hold back from raising interest rates last week, the questions have only increased. The Thai currency has depreciated a lot this year, falling by 9.57%, much more than the often-talked-about yuan devaluation, which sent that currency declining by only 2.75% so far this year. We are, however, not alone in this devaluation trend. Malaysia and Indonesia have seen their currencies tumble as much as 23% and 17.5%, respectively.