Showing 1 - 10 of 39
VAT hikes alone won't narrow deficit
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 27/11/2025
» This article is not meant to attack Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas’s Medium-Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF) for the fiscal years from 2026 to 2030. It is meant to emphasise the fragility of a Thai fiscal position that requires multiple revenue enhancement measures.
Grasping the VAT nettle
Oped, Editorial, Published on 24/11/2025
» The proposal to raise value-added tax from 7% to 8.5% in 2028, and to 10% in 2030, by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas is a display of political courage rarely seen in a political landscape where politicians are quick to spend money in the name of "economic stimulus" but stay mum when asked how to finance the schemes.
Is Takaichi Sanae the 'Iron Lady' of Japan?
Oped, Koichi Hamada, Published on 10/11/2025
» For the first time in its history, Japan's parliament has selected a woman, Takaichi Sanae of the Liberal Democratic Party, to be prime minister. In this sense, Ms Takaichi has already followed in the footsteps of her political idol, Margaret Thatcher -- the UK's first female PM. But whether she is remembered as Japan's own "Iron Lady" will depend on her ability to manage three key challenges: inflation, low female labour-force participation and a fraught geopolitical environment.
No time to wait for Thai fiscal reform
Oped, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 17/09/2025
» The daunting mission of the four-month-old government led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is to revive an economy that has been sluggish for a long time. Can the Anutin government deliver? After all, tackling "bread-and-butter" issues requires fiscal sustainability.
Facing down BRICS threat
Oped, Editorial, Published on 14/07/2025
» After slapping a 36% tariff on Thai exports to the United States, President Donald Trump recently warned BRICS nation members may face an additional 10% tariff, citing what he call their "anti-American policies".
Thai LNG hub ambitions need caution
Oped, Imran Arif, Published on 25/06/2025
» Despite local and global headwinds, Thailand's energy demand, driven by economic activities, continues to grow. Such seemingly insatiable energy demand has been met primarily via natural gas, which, according to Thailand's Electricity Generation Authority (EGAT), is used to generate 60.85% of Thailand's electricity.
Why US Treasury yields are rising
Oped, Dambisa Moyo, Published on 16/06/2025
» Sovereign bond yields have been rising sharply around the world, driven by growing concerns over US President Donald Trump's economic policies and an increasingly uncertain global outlook. In less than a month, the yield on 10-year Treasuries jumped by 50 basis points to 4.6%. And in May alone, the 30-year Treasury rate rose by 30 basis points, briefly topping 5%.
ABOUT POLITICS: A sound bit of advice
Oped, Published on 10/05/2025
» A message has been conveyed by a former finance minister to an aspiring one -- don't be too agreeable with the government when it comes to money matters.
Building a resilient climate future
Oped, Charika Channuntapipat & Supanutt Sasiwuttiwat, Published on 29/01/2025
» Despite growing risks from natural disasters, Thailand is unprepared for the financial fallout. Severe floods, rising temperatures, and unpredictable weather patterns are becoming more frequent. Without action, the damage will escalate.
Monitor the wallet scheme
Oped, Editorial, Published on 03/08/2024
» The wait is over. The Srettha government finally launched the long-awaited digital wallet scheme on Thursday. This costly cash handout is the flagship policy of the Pheu Thai Party from the 2023 general election. The scheme will put 450 billion baht of digital cash into the hands of over 40 million eligible recipients, with the hope that they will buy local goods, spurring grassroots trade and investment.