• OPINION

  Instability threatens economic growth

  News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 27/04/2019

  » Without decisive winners from the March 24 poll, there are fears that political instability will affect the country's economy. Such concerns are understandable given that three parties, namely the pro-military Palang Pracharath Party, and Pheu Thai Party and Future Forward Party (which brand themselves as the anti-regime camp), are engaging in a post-election tug of war.

• OPINION

  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.

• OPINION

  EEC is our only gateway to developed-nation status

  News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 03/10/2019

  » The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) has been harshly criticised by Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, leader of the Future Forward Party, for its "lack of people's participation". On the contrary, I believe the EEC will help boost the livelihoods of Thais and transform Thailand from a middle-income country to high-income status.

• OPINION

  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.

• OPINION

  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.

• OPINION

  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.

• OPINION

  Counting the cost of Pheu Thai's recklessness

  News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 07/11/2013

  » The passing of the contentious amnesty bill by the House in a rush last Friday was the final step in the Pheu Thai Party's plan to bring back home their leader Thaksin Shinawatra.

• OPINION

  Changing the political system begins with the citizens

  News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 19/12/2013

  » Incremental progress perhaps, but progress nevertheless. No longer is the public debate about the necessity of political reform, but rather when and in what form. People no longer doubt that political change is a prerequisite before tackling other problems, whether it be economic competitiveness, income inequality or educational reform. No, I believe that we have reached a tipping point, one in which all sides of the social, political and economic spectrum agree that change is necessary and overdue if Thailand is to ever move forward.

• OPINION

  Govt seeks easy way out with spending plan

  News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 11/04/2013

  » Who doesn't wish for a better future, for ourselves and our heirs? That's part of the human condition. I believe most acknowledge and agree with the aims and purposes of the government's 2-trillion-baht infrastructure programme. And why not? Thailand is a developing country, and so we must continue to develop our roads and railways for a better future.

• OPINION

  Finance maestros face off over infrastructure

  News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 02/05/2013

  » Betrayal and outdated are both terms that have been used in the growing war of words and ideas over the government's ambitious 2-trillion-baht infrastructure programme.

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