Posted by Tawan , Reader : 328 , 20:55:31
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3 Baht Cheaper Oil
Always low prices wins again. Now Thailand can join the Global ranks of cheap prices and no service.
The self service petrol stations have arrived and the joys of pumping your own petrol has arrived in Thailand at least I will not be standing in the snow pumping petrol.
Globalization is really moving fast but I have to admit that the self service petrol station is a real shocker for me. I thought one of the last standing global competitive edge for Thailand was service.
My friends in America are really laughing now. I never thought I would see this day in Thailand.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Thailand Dropping Out of Global Community
Thailand Dropping Out Of Global Community
Posted by Tawan , Reader : 1823 , 22:47:14
Print
Thailand Dropping Out Of Global Community
So sad these days to read the press and forums around Thailand and the world, also very sad to hear retirees, tourists and foreign business people opinions and experiences becoming more and more negative about the Kingdom of Thailand. As a Thai, I hope that these world views do not represent the majority of Thai people. In the final analysis, I hope that these views are pursued by special interest Thais that only care about themselves and not representative of the Thai people.
Since the 1997 crisis, I have become so proud that Thailand has decided to participate in the Global economy with all of its pain and gains to move up the learning curve and become a part of the global community. Thailand has gained and benefited from increase wealth. The Global economy because of technology changes very quickly advantages soon turns to disadvantages only the informed can shift course and adjust to compete. Thailand before 1997 exports were only 20% based on an overvalued pegged baht. Everyone in those days visiting Thailand would tell you everything was too expensive in Thailand compared to other Asian countries. But Thailand chose not to listen (Mei pang Mei pang) but instead followed the special interests and defended the baht to bankruptcy. Today, Thailand is in the opposite situation. Thailand’s exports have grown to over 60% but complaints directed at the BOT have risen from the special interest again without looking at the global trends. Will Thailand develop a black and white or right and wrong or with us or against us world view? Or will Thailand follow common sense and realize the world is mostly grey. Will Thailand again listen to the special interests?
The facts from World Institutions are the US can not continue absorbing Asia’s exports at the current rate. The US balance sheet will continue to be weak as the US readjusts its consumer economy and re-pricing of assets and risks. Next year Asia’s emerging economies lead by China will lead the world’s economic engine for the first time in history not the US. This means that the US dollar will continue its decline and Asia’s domestic economies must be more open including financial market reforms, technology, domestic market reforms, education and human rights.
Warnings to Thailand by World Institutions to develop its domestic financial instruments, Implement foreign exchange hedging by exporters. Develop value added exports, reform education and reform Immigration. Policies, open domestic markets improve human rights to Thais and non Thais. Increase technology investments not censorship and political oppression. Many professionals in Thailand work very hard every day to achieve these goals for a better Thailand.
But, special interests have different answers for Thailand’s future. A recent simple example is the decrease in hotel occupancy rates. Of course the hotel operators blame the baht and fewer tourists when in fact the number of tourist arrivals has increased and the number of new hotels built has increased. Government is not responsible for bad investor decisions. Instead of blaming someone else like children investors should do their homework before whining to the Government.
Flip flopping on issues and laws served Thailand well in the past when Thailand was trying to avoid becoming a colony. Today that strategy sends a bad message to the Global community, special interests making new laws or changing laws when events turn against them to serve their own interest.
Special interest will tell you that foreigners may not own business or foreign retirees may not own their own homes that they have bought and paid for after a lifetime of hard work and saving. Foreign Retirees live on a fixed income and live in fear of being kicked out of their homes or fear immigration’s disrespectful sour face in issuing their yearly visa depends on the immigration officer’s mood and ever increasing difficult immigration laws. Foreign Retiree’s economic contribution to Thai society offering security, supporting entire Thai families and raising children are ignored and their efforts are unwelcome by an ungrateful society. Half foreign Thai children are loved and adored as moving stars or singers but growing up they are tortured physically and mentally by other Thai children. Children are not naturally mean they are taught that way by racist parents. Turn this story of foreigner’s experiences in Thailand around and imagine yourself in a foreign country. Do you want your Thai children going abroad to study and being abused by raciest because they are different? Or do you want to retire abroad and then kicked out of your house at 65 years old because you are Thai? Do you want to go abroad and then be kicked out by new immigration laws? Do you want to go shopping abroad and be cheated by being charged more because you are Thai? Or would it be ok if while you are being cheated it is done with a sarcastic smile and you are perceived as rich. There is nothing more irritating than being smiled at while being cheated. Most foreign tourist save a life time to visit Thailand and contrary to popular opinion can not afford to be cheated. Incomes are relevant yes their salaries are higher but so are their cost of living savings rates are the same as a 4.000 Baht per month Thai worker. Foreigners are not stupid people just as Thais do not like to be called poor stupid farmers more and more of these stories are going around the world. I meet people around the world that knows and have friends in many small and large cities around Thailand not just Bangkok. Thailand is not just known by Bangkok in the world community anymore. Remember what you do to others will come back to you. Soon Thais visiting and living in other countries will be treated the same way as foreigners are in Thailand.
Special interests will use the argument that Thailand is a small, pitiful, poor, uneducated, ignorant undeveloped country that can not compete and needs more time to develope. Slogans created such as “Thailand is for Thais” breeding racism by populist politicians. Special interest will tell you we are protecting Thai culture. Thailand has thousands of years of culture it will not disappear by joining the world community. Thailand is classified as an emerging country with the size and population of a European country. By following populist propaganda Thailand will not have to worry about exports exports will be zero will not have to worry about tourism tourist will go elsewhere that pretty much takes care of foreign exchange policy and foreign reserves there will be no need to participate in the world at all. The world has no time to wait for Thailand. The world will move on to Thailand’s neighbors Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, China, and Indonesia where conditions are better and where governments are anxious to join the world community and eventually to Burma ( Myanmar) and Cambodia.
Is this the Thailand we want? Do we just want to go on sabai sabai watching the world go by on TV because the world is too tough for our sabai sabai sanook sanook attitude?
Take a look at what our neighbors Malaysia are doing for retirees or Vietnam is doing for foreign investors while we watch sabai sabai. Below I will paste and copy Malaysia’s retirement program. I apologize to the blog purist that hate paste and copy but I do not have the writing skills to write it better. When asked by foreigners, is Thailand a good place to visit or retire or invest, I am ashamed to say Thailand’s neighbors will treat you better and more fairly.
Eligibility.
The programme is open to all foreign citizens except those married to Malaysians and citizens of Israel, Serbia and Yugoslavia. The restriction on foreigners married to Malaysians was made at the end of 2006. They are required to apply for a spouse visa.
Finance/Income
The following sets out the financial criteria which depend on the age of the applicant. If a married couple apply the oldest person’s age decides the appropriate criteria.
It should be noted that applicants who choose the fixed deposit option do not have to place it until their visa application is approved. At that time they will receive a “conditional approval” letter by the immigration department. They have to bring this letter, together with evidence of completing any other conditions specified in the letter, to the immigration department. The visa will then be stamped in their passport.
i) Applicants aged below 50 years old:
• Must open a fixed deposit account of RM300,000
• Can withdraw up to RM240,000 for the purchase of house, medical insurance or children’s education expenses after the deposit has been placed for one year.
• Must maintain a minimum balance of RM60,000 from second year onwards and throughout stay in Malaysia under this programme.
ii) Applicants aged 50 years and above:
• Have to place a fixed deposit account of RM150,000. (If they receive a government pension or a pension from a well recognized global company in excess of the RM10,000 the requirement may be waived)
• Can withdraw up to RM90,000 of the fixed deposit after one year to purchase of house, medical insurance or children’s education expenses.
• Must maintain a minimum balance of RM60,000 throughout their stay in Malaysia under this programme.
Sponsor/Assistance
There is no longer a requirement for a Malaysian sponsor. This requirement is only necessary if you use an agent in which case the agent will act as your sponsor. If you need assistance making the application we offer this service (click here). You may make the application without coming to Malaysia and once the letter of conditional approval is issued we will advise you and you have six months to come to Malaysia and collect the visa.
Insurance Coverage / Medical Report
Applicants must possess a medical insurance coverage from any insurance company that is valid in Malaysia. This may be waived for older applicants who are denied coverage because of their age. All applicants are required to have a medical examination in Malaysia.
Education
Applicants are allowed to bring along their dependants (children) either not schooling or are schooling in primary, secondary or in any Institution of higher Learning. Dependants who are schooling are also required to apply for a Student Pass to continue their education in schools or Institutions of Higher Learning recognised by the government. Children have to be aged under 18 to be included under the MM2H visa programme.
Taxes
Successful applicants are bound by the policies, systems and regulations of taxes of this country however their overseas income will not be taxed in Malaysia.
Security Vetting
Approvals are given subject to security vetting clearance conducted by the Royal Malaysian Police.
Restrictions
Successful applicants are STRICTLY forbidden from the following:
* Being employed anywhere in Malaysia unless approved by the government.
* Participating in activities that can be considered as sensitive to the local people like political or missionary activities.
SEE “APPLICATION PROCEDURES” FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO APPLY"
Posted by Tawan , Reader : 1823 , 22:47:14
Thailand Dropping Out Of Global Community
So sad these days to read the press and forums around Thailand and the world, also very sad to hear retirees, tourists and foreign business people opinions and experiences becoming more and more negative about the Kingdom of Thailand. As a Thai, I hope that these world views do not represent the majority of Thai people. In the final analysis, I hope that these views are pursued by special interest Thais that only care about themselves and not representative of the Thai people.
Since the 1997 crisis, I have become so proud that Thailand has decided to participate in the Global economy with all of its pain and gains to move up the learning curve and become a part of the global community. Thailand has gained and benefited from increase wealth. The Global economy because of technology changes very quickly advantages soon turns to disadvantages only the informed can shift course and adjust to compete. Thailand before 1997 exports were only 20% based on an overvalued pegged baht. Everyone in those days visiting Thailand would tell you everything was too expensive in Thailand compared to other Asian countries. But Thailand chose not to listen (Mei pang Mei pang) but instead followed the special interests and defended the baht to bankruptcy. Today, Thailand is in the opposite situation. Thailand’s exports have grown to over 60% but complaints directed at the BOT have risen from the special interest again without looking at the global trends. Will Thailand develop a black and white or right and wrong or with us or against us world view? Or will Thailand follow common sense and realize the world is mostly grey. Will Thailand again listen to the special interests?
The facts from World Institutions are the US can not continue absorbing Asia’s exports at the current rate. The US balance sheet will continue to be weak as the US readjusts its consumer economy and re-pricing of assets and risks. Next year Asia’s emerging economies lead by China will lead the world’s economic engine for the first time in history not the US. This means that the US dollar will continue its decline and Asia’s domestic economies must be more open including financial market reforms, technology, domestic market reforms, education and human rights.
Warnings to Thailand by World Institutions to develop its domestic financial instruments, Implement foreign exchange hedging by exporters. Develop value added exports, reform education and reform Immigration. Policies, open domestic markets improve human rights to Thais and non Thais. Increase technology investments not censorship and political oppression. Many professionals in Thailand work very hard every day to achieve these goals for a better Thailand.
But, special interests have different answers for Thailand’s future. A recent simple example is the decrease in hotel occupancy rates. Of course the hotel operators blame the baht and fewer tourists when in fact the number of tourist arrivals has increased and the number of new hotels built has increased. Government is not responsible for bad investor decisions. Instead of blaming someone else like children investors should do their homework before whining to the Government.
Flip flopping on issues and laws served Thailand well in the past when Thailand was trying to avoid becoming a colony. Today that strategy sends a bad message to the Global community, special interests making new laws or changing laws when events turn against them to serve their own interest.
Special interest will tell you that foreigners may not own business or foreign retirees may not own their own homes that they have bought and paid for after a lifetime of hard work and saving. Foreign Retirees live on a fixed income and live in fear of being kicked out of their homes or fear immigration’s disrespectful sour face in issuing their yearly visa depends on the immigration officer’s mood and ever increasing difficult immigration laws. Foreign Retiree’s economic contribution to Thai society offering security, supporting entire Thai families and raising children are ignored and their efforts are unwelcome by an ungrateful society. Half foreign Thai children are loved and adored as moving stars or singers but growing up they are tortured physically and mentally by other Thai children. Children are not naturally mean they are taught that way by racist parents. Turn this story of foreigner’s experiences in Thailand around and imagine yourself in a foreign country. Do you want your Thai children going abroad to study and being abused by raciest because they are different? Or do you want to retire abroad and then kicked out of your house at 65 years old because you are Thai? Do you want to go abroad and then be kicked out by new immigration laws? Do you want to go shopping abroad and be cheated by being charged more because you are Thai? Or would it be ok if while you are being cheated it is done with a sarcastic smile and you are perceived as rich. There is nothing more irritating than being smiled at while being cheated. Most foreign tourist save a life time to visit Thailand and contrary to popular opinion can not afford to be cheated. Incomes are relevant yes their salaries are higher but so are their cost of living savings rates are the same as a 4.000 Baht per month Thai worker. Foreigners are not stupid people just as Thais do not like to be called poor stupid farmers more and more of these stories are going around the world. I meet people around the world that knows and have friends in many small and large cities around Thailand not just Bangkok. Thailand is not just known by Bangkok in the world community anymore. Remember what you do to others will come back to you. Soon Thais visiting and living in other countries will be treated the same way as foreigners are in Thailand.
Special interests will use the argument that Thailand is a small, pitiful, poor, uneducated, ignorant undeveloped country that can not compete and needs more time to develope. Slogans created such as “Thailand is for Thais” breeding racism by populist politicians. Special interest will tell you we are protecting Thai culture. Thailand has thousands of years of culture it will not disappear by joining the world community. Thailand is classified as an emerging country with the size and population of a European country. By following populist propaganda Thailand will not have to worry about exports exports will be zero will not have to worry about tourism tourist will go elsewhere that pretty much takes care of foreign exchange policy and foreign reserves there will be no need to participate in the world at all. The world has no time to wait for Thailand. The world will move on to Thailand’s neighbors Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, China, and Indonesia where conditions are better and where governments are anxious to join the world community and eventually to Burma ( Myanmar) and Cambodia.
Is this the Thailand we want? Do we just want to go on sabai sabai watching the world go by on TV because the world is too tough for our sabai sabai sanook sanook attitude?
Take a look at what our neighbors Malaysia are doing for retirees or Vietnam is doing for foreign investors while we watch sabai sabai. Below I will paste and copy Malaysia’s retirement program. I apologize to the blog purist that hate paste and copy but I do not have the writing skills to write it better. When asked by foreigners, is Thailand a good place to visit or retire or invest, I am ashamed to say Thailand’s neighbors will treat you better and more fairly.
Eligibility.
The programme is open to all foreign citizens except those married to Malaysians and citizens of Israel, Serbia and Yugoslavia. The restriction on foreigners married to Malaysians was made at the end of 2006. They are required to apply for a spouse visa.
Finance/Income
The following sets out the financial criteria which depend on the age of the applicant. If a married couple apply the oldest person’s age decides the appropriate criteria.
It should be noted that applicants who choose the fixed deposit option do not have to place it until their visa application is approved. At that time they will receive a “conditional approval” letter by the immigration department. They have to bring this letter, together with evidence of completing any other conditions specified in the letter, to the immigration department. The visa will then be stamped in their passport.
i) Applicants aged below 50 years old:
• Must open a fixed deposit account of RM300,000
• Can withdraw up to RM240,000 for the purchase of house, medical insurance or children’s education expenses after the deposit has been placed for one year.
• Must maintain a minimum balance of RM60,000 from second year onwards and throughout stay in Malaysia under this programme.
ii) Applicants aged 50 years and above:
• Have to place a fixed deposit account of RM150,000. (If they receive a government pension or a pension from a well recognized global company in excess of the RM10,000 the requirement may be waived)
• Can withdraw up to RM90,000 of the fixed deposit after one year to purchase of house, medical insurance or children’s education expenses.
• Must maintain a minimum balance of RM60,000 throughout their stay in Malaysia under this programme.
Sponsor/Assistance
There is no longer a requirement for a Malaysian sponsor. This requirement is only necessary if you use an agent in which case the agent will act as your sponsor. If you need assistance making the application we offer this service (click here). You may make the application without coming to Malaysia and once the letter of conditional approval is issued we will advise you and you have six months to come to Malaysia and collect the visa.
Insurance Coverage / Medical Report
Applicants must possess a medical insurance coverage from any insurance company that is valid in Malaysia. This may be waived for older applicants who are denied coverage because of their age. All applicants are required to have a medical examination in Malaysia.
Education
Applicants are allowed to bring along their dependants (children) either not schooling or are schooling in primary, secondary or in any Institution of higher Learning. Dependants who are schooling are also required to apply for a Student Pass to continue their education in schools or Institutions of Higher Learning recognised by the government. Children have to be aged under 18 to be included under the MM2H visa programme.
Taxes
Successful applicants are bound by the policies, systems and regulations of taxes of this country however their overseas income will not be taxed in Malaysia.
Security Vetting
Approvals are given subject to security vetting clearance conducted by the Royal Malaysian Police.
Restrictions
Successful applicants are STRICTLY forbidden from the following:
* Being employed anywhere in Malaysia unless approved by the government.
* Participating in activities that can be considered as sensitive to the local people like political or missionary activities.
SEE “APPLICATION PROCEDURES” FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO APPLY"
Thai Exports China or Japan
Thai Exports China or Japan
Posted by Tawan , Reader : 477 , 16:15:50 Print
I prefer to listen to Economist Dr. Supavud Saicheua. I have read the articles and it seems to be more concern with Thailand's future. The long term policies are much better then the current little Dutch Boy running around sticking his finger in every little hole in the dike that lets water flow through which seems to be so popular in Thailand these days.
Case number one China.
Thailand wants to keep its low skill low wage exports alive and hopes to be able to compete with China in this sector. Examine the characteristics of the Chinese businessman and his largest customer the American Businessman. We will refer to the Chinese Businessman as "Mr. Almost" and the American Businessman as "Mr. Walmart".
If ever there was a more perfect couple in this world it would be Mr. Almost and Mr. Walmart. There is no one in this world that can produce products faster and cheaper and cash a LC faster than Mr. Almost and there is no one in this world that can sell products faster and cheaper than Mr. Walmart what a match made in heaven a cheap producer and a cheap customer and a doomed low skill low wage workforce fated to life at the bottom of the social pyramid forever.
Look how this works Mr. Almost's answer to any question is "No problem" Can you roll back the price from last year? Yes, No problem Can you ship on this date? Yes, No problem. The results for Mr. Almost will be a LC cashed in world record time. The results for Mr. Walmart will be a container of poisonous dogfood because of a cheaper ingredient but no problem they are only dogs. Mr. Walmart's goals have been reached to continue to "Roll Back prices". As you can see TQC and zero defects do not enter into this equation.
To be fair to Mr. Walmart he does run a very tight ship by keeping his buyers locked up in the middle of nowhere and not allowed outside to keep them honest but poor. This is how Mr. Walmart got rid of his competition and became a monopoly in the American market Mr. Kmart who made the mistake of letting his buyers roam the world becoming rich. Mr. Walmart by keeping his in-house experts locked up can better compete than any other American company that typically has no in-house experts to form the shell company except a few that they headhunt from competitors because they do not believe in investing in a workforce as workers are treated as a liability instead of an asset all other expertise is subcontracted out to places like India where American trained MBAs will work for $500 a month compared to $80,000 a year in the American market. Meanwhile, Mr. Walmart's customers graduate with MBA degree by the thousands each quarter and find that the $80,000 expected turns into $8 dollars per hour and is very grateful to Mr. Walmart for rolling back prices every month.
Now how can Thailand join this great economic model which has made the US the largest consumer society in the world. Easy listen to the people that wants to keep the Baht at 36 or 37 regardless of market conditions. To be frank with you, I do not believe Thailand can compete in this sector with Mr. Almost at the 36 to 37 range to be able to compete with Mr. Almost Thailand would be better off going to the G7 and asking for a bigger slice of the foreign exchange pie instead of only taking 37 degrees of the pie ask for 360 degrees of the pie. This exchange rate of 360 baht to 1 dollar will make certain Thailand can compete with Mr. Almost. In addition, Thailand will save lots of money by not having to invest in a knowledge based workforce the workforce will be happy making dollar store items for Mr. Walmart forever.
Case number two Japan
Oh, the more difficult road there is a reason they call this road "ganbatte" it is not a easy road to follow. But few could argue that Japan is the absolute leader of Asia and the most admired country in Asia. Imagine a beautiful, clean and safe country with the highest quality of life in the world or walking around the most modern city in the world "Tokyo" that makes New York look like a dirty slum. Where the people are the most polite and honest people anywhere try asking a New Yorker the time of day.
There are many reasons that the Japan model is so successful and many experts that can write volumes on it. I will focus on only one. Japan is successful because of its citizens that the Japanese government and industry has invested trillions of yen to make sure its citizens are knowlede based or even advanced knowledge based. That is why you can find Japanese tradition side by side with modern it does not threaten each other. Japan believes that the most important in a company is not the building or its products but its workforce. People are an asset not a liability without people there is no company no country. Many examples of this, when Mazada had invented a superior technology rotary engine for some reason it did not sell in the marketplace despite the superior technology everyone in the company went door to door selling the car so that the company could survive this is "ganbatte'.
Japan is a small country with no natural resources when the domestic market was full it did not question should it go abroad to diversify risk and find new opportunities for foreign direct investment. Japan has invested in many countries including Thailand led by its well trained cross culturally educated workforce. Japan is much like the US hard to find anything made in that country it is made the world over and Japanese companies have become Global and continue to grow and its citizens continue to benefit from the growth.
Finally, which road will Thailand take? Will Thailand take advantage of its new found wealth of a stonger Baht ? Will Thailand invest billions of baht in a knowledge based workforce? Will Thailand start investing in a cross culturally educated workforce to lead direct foreign investments? What will Thailand invest in ? One thing Thailand is good at is its creative design. Even little Switzerland competes globally with mainly two products watches and banks and smart enough to stay out of world wars. As creative as Thai people are you can not tell me Thailand can not find two products to compete Globally.
Just my humble opinion.
Posted by Tawan , Reader : 477 , 16:15:50 Print
I prefer to listen to Economist Dr. Supavud Saicheua. I have read the articles and it seems to be more concern with Thailand's future. The long term policies are much better then the current little Dutch Boy running around sticking his finger in every little hole in the dike that lets water flow through which seems to be so popular in Thailand these days.
Case number one China.
Thailand wants to keep its low skill low wage exports alive and hopes to be able to compete with China in this sector. Examine the characteristics of the Chinese businessman and his largest customer the American Businessman. We will refer to the Chinese Businessman as "Mr. Almost" and the American Businessman as "Mr. Walmart".
If ever there was a more perfect couple in this world it would be Mr. Almost and Mr. Walmart. There is no one in this world that can produce products faster and cheaper and cash a LC faster than Mr. Almost and there is no one in this world that can sell products faster and cheaper than Mr. Walmart what a match made in heaven a cheap producer and a cheap customer and a doomed low skill low wage workforce fated to life at the bottom of the social pyramid forever.
Look how this works Mr. Almost's answer to any question is "No problem" Can you roll back the price from last year? Yes, No problem Can you ship on this date? Yes, No problem. The results for Mr. Almost will be a LC cashed in world record time. The results for Mr. Walmart will be a container of poisonous dogfood because of a cheaper ingredient but no problem they are only dogs. Mr. Walmart's goals have been reached to continue to "Roll Back prices". As you can see TQC and zero defects do not enter into this equation.
To be fair to Mr. Walmart he does run a very tight ship by keeping his buyers locked up in the middle of nowhere and not allowed outside to keep them honest but poor. This is how Mr. Walmart got rid of his competition and became a monopoly in the American market Mr. Kmart who made the mistake of letting his buyers roam the world becoming rich. Mr. Walmart by keeping his in-house experts locked up can better compete than any other American company that typically has no in-house experts to form the shell company except a few that they headhunt from competitors because they do not believe in investing in a workforce as workers are treated as a liability instead of an asset all other expertise is subcontracted out to places like India where American trained MBAs will work for $500 a month compared to $80,000 a year in the American market. Meanwhile, Mr. Walmart's customers graduate with MBA degree by the thousands each quarter and find that the $80,000 expected turns into $8 dollars per hour and is very grateful to Mr. Walmart for rolling back prices every month.
Now how can Thailand join this great economic model which has made the US the largest consumer society in the world. Easy listen to the people that wants to keep the Baht at 36 or 37 regardless of market conditions. To be frank with you, I do not believe Thailand can compete in this sector with Mr. Almost at the 36 to 37 range to be able to compete with Mr. Almost Thailand would be better off going to the G7 and asking for a bigger slice of the foreign exchange pie instead of only taking 37 degrees of the pie ask for 360 degrees of the pie. This exchange rate of 360 baht to 1 dollar will make certain Thailand can compete with Mr. Almost. In addition, Thailand will save lots of money by not having to invest in a knowledge based workforce the workforce will be happy making dollar store items for Mr. Walmart forever.
Case number two Japan
Oh, the more difficult road there is a reason they call this road "ganbatte" it is not a easy road to follow. But few could argue that Japan is the absolute leader of Asia and the most admired country in Asia. Imagine a beautiful, clean and safe country with the highest quality of life in the world or walking around the most modern city in the world "Tokyo" that makes New York look like a dirty slum. Where the people are the most polite and honest people anywhere try asking a New Yorker the time of day.
There are many reasons that the Japan model is so successful and many experts that can write volumes on it. I will focus on only one. Japan is successful because of its citizens that the Japanese government and industry has invested trillions of yen to make sure its citizens are knowlede based or even advanced knowledge based. That is why you can find Japanese tradition side by side with modern it does not threaten each other. Japan believes that the most important in a company is not the building or its products but its workforce. People are an asset not a liability without people there is no company no country. Many examples of this, when Mazada had invented a superior technology rotary engine for some reason it did not sell in the marketplace despite the superior technology everyone in the company went door to door selling the car so that the company could survive this is "ganbatte'.
Japan is a small country with no natural resources when the domestic market was full it did not question should it go abroad to diversify risk and find new opportunities for foreign direct investment. Japan has invested in many countries including Thailand led by its well trained cross culturally educated workforce. Japan is much like the US hard to find anything made in that country it is made the world over and Japanese companies have become Global and continue to grow and its citizens continue to benefit from the growth.
Finally, which road will Thailand take? Will Thailand take advantage of its new found wealth of a stonger Baht ? Will Thailand invest billions of baht in a knowledge based workforce? Will Thailand start investing in a cross culturally educated workforce to lead direct foreign investments? What will Thailand invest in ? One thing Thailand is good at is its creative design. Even little Switzerland competes globally with mainly two products watches and banks and smart enough to stay out of world wars. As creative as Thai people are you can not tell me Thailand can not find two products to compete Globally.
Just my humble opinion.
Thai Democracy Yes Western Democracy No
Thai Democracy Yes Western Democracy No
Posted by Tawan , Reader : 338 , 00:39:01 Print
I agree with a recent statement “I hope Thailand will find the right way into a bright future”. IMO Thai Democracy does not need to be a copy of Western Democracy. The blogs that say Thais do not understand democracy need to look at their own democracies.
I believe Thais are free. I believe Thais are tolerant people. I believe Thais are intelligent people.
I agree with China, western society has more than enough problems of their own and has no right to criticize other countries. It is not constructive criticism being offered by western societies. It is criticism offered with a holier than you sarcastic superior attitude that all things western are superior education, government, business, people etc.
May I ask? Are westerners born with this trait of absolute belief that they are superior or is that trait taught in your education system? What Thai people do not need is a history lesson about the Civil Liberties ratified in 1791 by the US Congress known as the Bill of Rights by hypocrite slave owners. You want to know about Civil Rights ask Martin Luther King after 250 years of living in a so called free democratic society the struggle continues today against the same leaders that seems to forget the recent past that they were a part of in western society. Even though Dr. King is gone the powers that he fought against are still alive today. If the US democracy model works like the above statements with 300 years of experience of not getting it right how is it going to work in Thailand?
Thailand does not need to be an exact copy of the US. China proves that communism and free markets work. Japan proves that Japan Inc works none of which copies the US. The US policy of you are either with us or against us proves how narrow minded the US is and is the major cause of a lot of problems in the world. What problems is Thailand causing in the world on that scale?
I would rather walk the streets of Tokyo at midnight than try that in New York the so called capital of the free world. As far as history lessons the western free world needs to go back and read those great documents and start living by them.
Yes, we need constructive criticism not laced with sarcasm and the word respect needs to be added back to the English dictionary and used.
I have noticed too many westerners speak without concern for the listeners thoughts are feelings. This is not the Thai definition of freedom and is a sign of a very uneducated person.
Thai Democracy Yes, Western Democracy No
Posted by Tawan , Reader : 338 , 00:39:01 Print
I agree with a recent statement “I hope Thailand will find the right way into a bright future”. IMO Thai Democracy does not need to be a copy of Western Democracy. The blogs that say Thais do not understand democracy need to look at their own democracies.
I believe Thais are free. I believe Thais are tolerant people. I believe Thais are intelligent people.
I agree with China, western society has more than enough problems of their own and has no right to criticize other countries. It is not constructive criticism being offered by western societies. It is criticism offered with a holier than you sarcastic superior attitude that all things western are superior education, government, business, people etc.
May I ask? Are westerners born with this trait of absolute belief that they are superior or is that trait taught in your education system? What Thai people do not need is a history lesson about the Civil Liberties ratified in 1791 by the US Congress known as the Bill of Rights by hypocrite slave owners. You want to know about Civil Rights ask Martin Luther King after 250 years of living in a so called free democratic society the struggle continues today against the same leaders that seems to forget the recent past that they were a part of in western society. Even though Dr. King is gone the powers that he fought against are still alive today. If the US democracy model works like the above statements with 300 years of experience of not getting it right how is it going to work in Thailand?
Thailand does not need to be an exact copy of the US. China proves that communism and free markets work. Japan proves that Japan Inc works none of which copies the US. The US policy of you are either with us or against us proves how narrow minded the US is and is the major cause of a lot of problems in the world. What problems is Thailand causing in the world on that scale?
I would rather walk the streets of Tokyo at midnight than try that in New York the so called capital of the free world. As far as history lessons the western free world needs to go back and read those great documents and start living by them.
Yes, we need constructive criticism not laced with sarcasm and the word respect needs to be added back to the English dictionary and used.
I have noticed too many westerners speak without concern for the listeners thoughts are feelings. This is not the Thai definition of freedom and is a sign of a very uneducated person.
Thai Democracy Yes, Western Democracy No
More Bashing
More Bashing
Posted by Tawan , Reader : 391 , 02:05:03 Print
The internet, what a great tool to level the playing field. One just has to take a look at the Thai forums to see how quickly Thais are changing and adapting their communication skills to match a global society.
On the internet in dealing with global issues Thais are throwing out Thai rules of communication and adopting western rules of communication. Just like everyone else Thais can hide behind the computer. No more smiling no more silence no more politeness rules of Thai society. Why because it does not work it is a global audience. Read the comments smiles are interpreted as deception to gain access to ATM cards no one smiles in the west unless they are up to something or watching comedy central. Polite is interpreted as buy me a house. Silence is interpreted as just plain stupid as seen when ET ask his 5w’s to the class and no student responds. ET interprets this as the students must be stupid or the education system must be failing certainly not as advanced as western education system where are all the guns?
Enter the Western Dragon where loud mouth, direct, aggressive behavior moves you up in politics, society and business. Anything less is interpreted as weakness and worse inept. In short, the Alpha dog characteristics are taught very early and learned if one is going to be successful. If one can not perform the wolf pack eats you alive. Results are as an Alpha dog being bigger, meaner and better than any other dog on the block and deserves success as such, less aggressive dogs deserve their lot in life because they chose to be weak non aggressive. A good communicator can shoot off the 5W’s faster than a machine gun with one linear goal in mind of I am right and you are wrong no grays in this world. Although, a good communicator can also grasp incremental thinking also, such as the Japanese
Example “I wish you luck but quickly adding I hope you fail”. Never use circular communications this is also interpreted in the west as deception stick to linear and incremental.
Where East meets West, hopefully, Thai society can keep the two means of communications separate Japan did. I would hate to have to walk the streets of Thai society with a stun gun in hand.
Posted by Tawan , Reader : 391 , 02:05:03 Print
The internet, what a great tool to level the playing field. One just has to take a look at the Thai forums to see how quickly Thais are changing and adapting their communication skills to match a global society.
On the internet in dealing with global issues Thais are throwing out Thai rules of communication and adopting western rules of communication. Just like everyone else Thais can hide behind the computer. No more smiling no more silence no more politeness rules of Thai society. Why because it does not work it is a global audience. Read the comments smiles are interpreted as deception to gain access to ATM cards no one smiles in the west unless they are up to something or watching comedy central. Polite is interpreted as buy me a house. Silence is interpreted as just plain stupid as seen when ET ask his 5w’s to the class and no student responds. ET interprets this as the students must be stupid or the education system must be failing certainly not as advanced as western education system where are all the guns?
Enter the Western Dragon where loud mouth, direct, aggressive behavior moves you up in politics, society and business. Anything less is interpreted as weakness and worse inept. In short, the Alpha dog characteristics are taught very early and learned if one is going to be successful. If one can not perform the wolf pack eats you alive. Results are as an Alpha dog being bigger, meaner and better than any other dog on the block and deserves success as such, less aggressive dogs deserve their lot in life because they chose to be weak non aggressive. A good communicator can shoot off the 5W’s faster than a machine gun with one linear goal in mind of I am right and you are wrong no grays in this world. Although, a good communicator can also grasp incremental thinking also, such as the Japanese
Example “I wish you luck but quickly adding I hope you fail”. Never use circular communications this is also interpreted in the west as deception stick to linear and incremental.
Where East meets West, hopefully, Thai society can keep the two means of communications separate Japan did. I would hate to have to walk the streets of Thai society with a stun gun in hand.
Help Khun Tarisa Merlin is back at BOT
Help Khun Tarisa Merlin is back at BOT
Posted by Tawan , Reader : 468 , 14:37:32 Print
I love articles with numbers gives me something to work with. That being said, I have a real big problem with today’s numbers from a macroeconomic program that says “Economist Raps BOT over Baht”. The conclusion from these numbers leads me to believe the magician Merlin is haunting the BOT. Merlin is not interested in Thailand’s economy but has another agenda in mind. I may have missed something in the article that has leaded me to the wrong conclusions if so I sincerely apologize and stand corrected. Let me first summarize the numbers from today’s macroeconomic model and let me know so that I can gain knowledge if my mathematics does not add up.
These numbers are from July 2, 2007 – July 6, 2007 tracking the BOT’s balance sheets in minute detail following the BOT’s foreign exchange operations. That week current account surplus $ 155 million, net foreign direct investment $ 125 million, net equities $ 598 million, net debt $ 40 million, and net loans $ 200 million for a total of $1.11 billion. That week produced a Bt 0.52 appreciation and a FX book loss of Bt 42.910 billion that week.
Without repeating the step by step details of the transactions, which was covered excellently in the article, that week’s strategy was the BOT bought $578 million in the spot market and the forward market. The BOT issued Bt 18 billion in bonds to cover 100% in the spot market.
Now this is where the numbers do not add up and when Merlin appears. The macroeconomic software inputs the above data for the above dates. Then suddenly keeping all other market factors around the world as constant, two variables enter the equation posing as would be fact for that week in history.
First, the amount of intervention is changed to $ 2.45 billion, July 2 - $431 million, July 3 - $ 632 million, July 4 - $ 556 million, July 5 - $ 445 million, July 6 - $ 390 million.
Second the bonds issued were changed to a 50% intervention in the spot market and 50% in the forward market. The total bond issued was changed to Bt 84.65 billion.
The above would result in no foreign exchange loss and gaining Bt 3.49 million in U.S. dollar interest increasing foreign reserves to $ 84.974 billion. Wow Disney World here I come what a wonderful life.
So Merlin would have us to believe by changing these two variables in history in other words instead of intervening by $500 million a week and intervening instead $ 2.5 billion a week the markets will be reversed. Never mind if a billion dollars flows out of equities that week or any other of a thousand things happens in the world that week changing these two variables is a winning strategy.
It does not take much to see that Merlin or even any kid can take two variables in historical data and keep manipulating them until you reach the desired results. No one in any Central bank in the world goes to work knowing exactly what will happen in the world’s markets that day and thus what percentage of intervention will be enough. It is also easy to spend billions of dollars every week to get results in a simulation because the money you are spending is not real it is a big difference when you are spending real money.
I do not know about anyone else but when I was in school my teacher would not let me manipulate historical data to get a good grade.
Now, if the dates in Merlin’s example is wrong and should read August 2, 2007 – August 6, 2007 I sincerely apologize and I want to be an investor and I also want to know what is tomorrow’s winning lottery number is. But if not I feel insulted Thai people are not stupid we do know the difference between yesterday, today and tomorrow. Finally, may I apologize for any directness but I think in English that is allowed.
Posted by Tawan , Reader : 468 , 14:37:32 Print
I love articles with numbers gives me something to work with. That being said, I have a real big problem with today’s numbers from a macroeconomic program that says “Economist Raps BOT over Baht”. The conclusion from these numbers leads me to believe the magician Merlin is haunting the BOT. Merlin is not interested in Thailand’s economy but has another agenda in mind. I may have missed something in the article that has leaded me to the wrong conclusions if so I sincerely apologize and stand corrected. Let me first summarize the numbers from today’s macroeconomic model and let me know so that I can gain knowledge if my mathematics does not add up.
These numbers are from July 2, 2007 – July 6, 2007 tracking the BOT’s balance sheets in minute detail following the BOT’s foreign exchange operations. That week current account surplus $ 155 million, net foreign direct investment $ 125 million, net equities $ 598 million, net debt $ 40 million, and net loans $ 200 million for a total of $1.11 billion. That week produced a Bt 0.52 appreciation and a FX book loss of Bt 42.910 billion that week.
Without repeating the step by step details of the transactions, which was covered excellently in the article, that week’s strategy was the BOT bought $578 million in the spot market and the forward market. The BOT issued Bt 18 billion in bonds to cover 100% in the spot market.
Now this is where the numbers do not add up and when Merlin appears. The macroeconomic software inputs the above data for the above dates. Then suddenly keeping all other market factors around the world as constant, two variables enter the equation posing as would be fact for that week in history.
First, the amount of intervention is changed to $ 2.45 billion, July 2 - $431 million, July 3 - $ 632 million, July 4 - $ 556 million, July 5 - $ 445 million, July 6 - $ 390 million.
Second the bonds issued were changed to a 50% intervention in the spot market and 50% in the forward market. The total bond issued was changed to Bt 84.65 billion.
The above would result in no foreign exchange loss and gaining Bt 3.49 million in U.S. dollar interest increasing foreign reserves to $ 84.974 billion. Wow Disney World here I come what a wonderful life.
So Merlin would have us to believe by changing these two variables in history in other words instead of intervening by $500 million a week and intervening instead $ 2.5 billion a week the markets will be reversed. Never mind if a billion dollars flows out of equities that week or any other of a thousand things happens in the world that week changing these two variables is a winning strategy.
It does not take much to see that Merlin or even any kid can take two variables in historical data and keep manipulating them until you reach the desired results. No one in any Central bank in the world goes to work knowing exactly what will happen in the world’s markets that day and thus what percentage of intervention will be enough. It is also easy to spend billions of dollars every week to get results in a simulation because the money you are spending is not real it is a big difference when you are spending real money.
I do not know about anyone else but when I was in school my teacher would not let me manipulate historical data to get a good grade.
Now, if the dates in Merlin’s example is wrong and should read August 2, 2007 – August 6, 2007 I sincerely apologize and I want to be an investor and I also want to know what is tomorrow’s winning lottery number is. But if not I feel insulted Thai people are not stupid we do know the difference between yesterday, today and tomorrow. Finally, may I apologize for any directness but I think in English that is allowed.
Good Ole Boy
Good Ole Boy
Posted by Tawan , Reader : 350 , 21:54:23 Print
Everything seems to come full circle around every ten years. The above link talks about exactly that. Case studies keeps repeating the same mistakes. Politics and Business works together in a "Good Ole Boy System" of greed not honest business.
History 1980's Savings and Loans local Politicians and Businesses get loans based on phony book values no income statements etc... sound familiar only qualification was to be a connected "Good Ole Boy". Of course things got out of hand the local banks went under. In comes the Feds saying that regional and national banks will take over to control the corrupt local systems with professional MBA's. Through creative accounting up to 1997 60% of the savings and loans debt was still tied up in court. If the debt ever got paid no one knows no news about it or any further case studies written the debt just disappeared.
1998 in comes legalized corruption protected and created by national politicians and national banks. The MBA's found that they could repackage debt, that under the previous system stayed at the local level ,and sold it to investors ( American's pension funds etc...). Only problem the MBA's found that you still needed the local politicians and businesses to get phoney valuations. In my small town "Good Ole Boys" were still able to get millions in loans based on over valuation of what in reality were crack houses valued as prime real estate. I am sure that somehow this new round of unpaid debt will somehow disappear again when the MBA's have come up with a new line of financial products to keep the system going.
Now there is talk about going back to the good ole days of local banks issueing mortgages the cycle never ends. Goes to show you you can not seperate Politics from Business in a developed country you need the politicians to write the highly valued rule of law to keep the corruption going and rationalized as the rule of law the western version of eastern face.
IMO the only difference in a undeveloped country and a developed country is in a developed country they have enough sense to make the corruption legal first in very sophisticated laws that make it very difficult to detect.
Now that the Feds are involved I can not wait to see what new financial derivatives the MBA's come up with for the next ten year cycle. Maybe they will make "relaxed lending rules" illegal would that not be a shocker. :shock: :shock: :shock
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Posted by Tawan , Reader : 350 , 21:54:23 Print
Everything seems to come full circle around every ten years. The above link talks about exactly that. Case studies keeps repeating the same mistakes. Politics and Business works together in a "Good Ole Boy System" of greed not honest business.
History 1980's Savings and Loans local Politicians and Businesses get loans based on phony book values no income statements etc... sound familiar only qualification was to be a connected "Good Ole Boy". Of course things got out of hand the local banks went under. In comes the Feds saying that regional and national banks will take over to control the corrupt local systems with professional MBA's. Through creative accounting up to 1997 60% of the savings and loans debt was still tied up in court. If the debt ever got paid no one knows no news about it or any further case studies written the debt just disappeared.
1998 in comes legalized corruption protected and created by national politicians and national banks. The MBA's found that they could repackage debt, that under the previous system stayed at the local level ,and sold it to investors ( American's pension funds etc...). Only problem the MBA's found that you still needed the local politicians and businesses to get phoney valuations. In my small town "Good Ole Boys" were still able to get millions in loans based on over valuation of what in reality were crack houses valued as prime real estate. I am sure that somehow this new round of unpaid debt will somehow disappear again when the MBA's have come up with a new line of financial products to keep the system going.
Now there is talk about going back to the good ole days of local banks issueing mortgages the cycle never ends. Goes to show you you can not seperate Politics from Business in a developed country you need the politicians to write the highly valued rule of law to keep the corruption going and rationalized as the rule of law the western version of eastern face.
IMO the only difference in a undeveloped country and a developed country is in a developed country they have enough sense to make the corruption legal first in very sophisticated laws that make it very difficult to detect.
Now that the Feds are involved I can not wait to see what new financial derivatives the MBA's come up with for the next ten year cycle. Maybe they will make "relaxed lending rules" illegal would that not be a shocker. :shock: :shock: :shock
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