Showing 51 - 60 of 121
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.
His Majesty was our bulwark in times fair or grim
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 03/11/2016
» Seventy years ago, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej started his long journey of working tirelessly for his people. Throughout the country, he travelled to remote and rough areas to meet and hear first-hand accounts of the plight of locals. He waded through numerous jungles and tramped down dusty and muddy roads even though he could have just spent a comfortable life in the palace.
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.
Jury still out on government's ability to lift economy
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 22/09/2016
» With the Prayut Chan-o-cha government in charge for more than two years, the Thai economy still hangs in the balance. Even though the government has managed to lift the country out of the economic stagnation we experienced before the 2014 coup, it has failed to accelerate growth.
Our elderly must have a safety net
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 21/07/2016
» Thailand's success in reducing fertility levels in the past few decades has brought it an unavoidable consequence -- a rising ageing population. The sheer size demands state measures to enable Thailand to be better prepared for dealing with an ageing society.
Thais opt for quick fix over full democracy
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 11/08/2016
» The results of Sunday's constitutional referendum demonstrate a critical reversion of political thought among Thai voters. In voting for a less democratic draft constitution, they have made it clear they prefer immediate remedies for political and economic woes rather than fully-fledged democracy.
Corporate tax changes hold out hope of cleaner society
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 09/06/2016
» When the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) which took the power in 2014, it put some goals, including corruption eradication, and national reform, on its priority list. Such goals are enshrined in the draft charter written by the Constitutional Drafting Committee under Meechai Ruchupan which is up for the referendum on Aug 7.
Thai governments are failing our farmers
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 30/06/2016
» Just like its predecessors, the Prayut Chan-o-cha government has over the past years injected large sums of cash into the rural economy, channelling a total of 143 billion baht through different forms of funds and soft loans. More recently, the cabinet on June 21 decided to revitalise the rural economy with another 45 billion baht in the form of aid schemes, subsidies and soft loans, in an attempt to assist farmers who are feeling the pinch of the worst drought in a decade and sagging prices of farm products.
Society must work to sanction tax cheats
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 12/05/2016
» The Finance Ministry's tax reform process, with a new tax structure, is well under way. The next step is to find ways to get tough with tax dodgers.
Sommai tax idea was sound -- this one isn't
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 21/04/2016
» The proposed land and buildings tax which will be imposed on property with an appraisal price of 50 million baht or higher attests to the fact that "fiscal reform" is just lip service.