Mega-projects to hike public debt : Uptrend in public investment to continue; economists call for more prudent allocation of military budget. Rising government spending on mega-projects, which are deemed crucial to economic growth, will further increase the country’s public debt, economists said with some asking the military to be more efficient in its spending. The Nation <
Election pegged to spur confidence and GDP : The government is confident the country’s economic growth in 2019 will exceed 4.1% as the general election will improve confidence among businesses and investors, as well as the full implementation of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) scheme. Bangkok Post <
Board of Investment gives the nod to five projects worth Bt40 bn : The board of Investment (BoI) yesterday approved five investment projects worth a total of Bt40.462 billion during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. The Nation <
KTB invests in digital development : Bank to make up for decline in bricks and mortar presence . Krungthai Bank (KTB) has set aside Bt19 billion to invest in digital system development in an attempt to cut costs within five years, while targeting for loan growth of 5 per cent this year. The Nation <
PM refuses calls to join policy debates : Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday rejected politicians’ calls for him to take part in policy debates, saying he is too busy with his work to waste time engaging in political rhetoric. Bangkok Post <
Auto bucks the trend as January manufacturing results disappoint : Thailand’s manufacturing sector is expected to grow by a modest 2 to 3 per cent in 2019 after mixed results are seen in January’s manufacturing production index (MPI), according to the Office of Industrial Economics (OIE). The Nation <
Farmers applaud rice bill being put on ice ‘indefinitely’: Farmers’ groups have hailed the National Legislative Assembly (NLA)’s move to shelve a controversial rice bill. Bangkok Post <
Best parts of the deferred Rice Bill should be retained: Farmers’ network : The country’s leading alternative farm advocacy group yesterday suggested that future parliamentarians retain the best parts of the scrapped Rice Bill while improving regulations that would otherwise give an advantage to big agro firms. The Nation <
CP pressured on rail bid : EEC seeks to finalise high-speed details . The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Office has given the CP Group-led consortium an ultimatum to conclude its financial proposal for the 224.5-billionbaht high-speed railway connecting three major airports by March 5, otherwise the state will negotiate with BSR Joint Venture. Bangkok Post <
BoT cuts shipment outlook as contraction lingers : The Bank of Thailand has become cautious in its export outlook, predicting the country’s payment-based outbound shipments will shrink in the first quarter after a year-on-year contraction in January exports. Bangkok Post <
regarding ‘Election pegged to spur confidence and GDP’: Well, the really important thing is what will come AFTER the election… and here i am not sure yet whether i should be optimistic or pessimistic…
peter satrapa-binder
regarding ‘Election pegged to spur confidence and GDP’: Well, the really important thing is what will come AFTER the election… and here i am not sure yet whether i should be optimistic or pessimistic…
Pon
Shared my thoughts earlier here 🙂
http://www.thaicapitalist.com/random-thoughts-thai-politics-part-xxxxxxxi/
peter satrapa-binder
yes, i had read that:) agreed with all, but if rewritten now i guess there would have to be a few additions regarding FFP’s current situation…
Pon
I think it only further builds support for FFP. In the end I still expect a weak coalition government for the country.
peter satrapa-binder
nothing stable in any case. i’d say.