Sriwipa Siripunyawit Government-mandated increase has led to lay-offs amid a labour shortage and even lower earnings. It was just another morning when Somporn, a 40-year-old worker in a ceramics plant, awoke to find she had lost the job she had held for several years. In fact, she’d anticipated this day would come, as the plant […]
Abhisit to launch push for reform to curb graft Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva’s election campaign will focus on educating the public about why the Pheu Thai Party-led government’s rice-pledging scheme has failed. The Democrats believe the campaign will lead to a better understanding about policy-oriented corruption. It will push for reform of ways to […]
Yupin Pongthong Quality production, greater efficiency seen as essential as world demand shifts The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) expects lower consumption, plantation area and prices for rice worldwide next year, while urging the government to speed up zoning for quality rice production. Delivering a lecture on “The Future of Thai Rice on the Global […]
Thailand should allow free trade in the energy, telecommunications and financial sectors to drive competition and lower costs for business operators, says the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI). TDRI president Somkiat Tangkitvanich said while the government has promoted the healthcare and tourism industries,it has not prioritised non-tradeable service sectors. “This is because allowing free trade […]
The government hopes immediately to kick-start its infrastructure investment spree in dual-track rail lines, four-lane roads and customs checkpoints after the 2-trillion-baht borrowing bill is passed into law. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong said under the plan, the government would spend 186 billion baht on four-lane roads. Building new four-lane roads and […]
The main rice crop season was several hours old before farmers had taken more rice to the buying stations than the government had money budgeted to pay them. But there were signs, as the third year of massive subsidies began, that the rice-pledging scheme of the Pheu Thai government was both becoming the new normal […]
Thai manufacturers should be more proactive in tapping opportunities in Myanmar and Vietnam, says the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI). President Somkiat Tangkitvanich said Myanmar offers low labour costs and high workforce productivity plus inexpensive raw materials and a good location for exporting commodities. But the once-isolated nation must overcome weaknesses such as meagre infrastructure, […]
Viroj Na Ranong, PhD TDRI’s Research Director Over the past few decades, Thailand as a major exporter of a range of agricultural produce has sought to pressure other countries to stop their agri-cultural subsidies and open their markets to free trade. Even when faced with resistance from the more developed countries,many of which cited non-economic […]
4 sectors expected to move output bases to neighbouring states Companies in four sectors are expected to gradually relocate their manufacturing bases to neighbouring countries due to rising labour costs at home, according to the Thailand Development Research Institute. The TDRI is urging the government to speed up the establishment of a one-stop service to […]
Contents Deunden Nikomborirak Service Liberalization under the ASEAN Economic Community: Myth and Reality, Opportunities and Challenges Sumeth Ongkittikul Review of High-speed Rail Experiences Worldwide
Concerned over high-speed train projects. Several experts have called on the government to enhance the credibility of feasibility studies and balance the decision-making power of projects listed under the government’s 2-trillion-baht borrowing bill. Of the total amount, 80% will go to the rail system, with the remainder allocated to upgrading seaports, roads and customs checkpoints. […]
Lack of clarity and feasibility studies cause for worry. The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) has raised serious concerns over the infrastructure projects planned under the Bt2-trillion budget as there was no clarity on the value of the investments, especially the high-speed trains for which no feasibility study has been conducted. Though the TDRI agreed […]
