Interview :Piyasvasti Amranand How do you expect the Energy Reform plan to impact upstream and midstream competition? PIYASVASTI AMRANAND: In most countries liberalisation happens first in the power industry, followed by the gas industry. In Thailand, however, it seems to be the other way around. Although the Energy Reform plan was drafted in 2017, the framework remains unclear. Focusing on…
Interview :Preeyanart Soontornwata What areas of the national power infrastructure need the most investment? PREEYANART SOONTORNWATA: The most recent official numbers show that Thailand has a 40% reserve margin, but the south still experiences power shortages. The government understands that this is not how the macro supply should be, so it will move towards implementing geographic-based zoning.…
Interview : Kalin Sarasin, Chairman How can further policy reforms and incentives encourage private investment? KALIN SARASIN: Thailand 4.0 has contributed to improving the ease of doing business, and the reform plan has been tackling the many factors previously obstructing businesses. As a result, we now rank 26th on the World Bank’s “Doing Business Report 2018”, which is an increase of 20…
Interview : Kanit Sangsubhan How does the EEC Act balance attracting investment and managing natural resources? SANGSUBHAN KANIT: We drafted the EEC Act so that it benefits both investors and communities, while providing long-term sustainability in the corridor. The aim of the initiative is to develop the EEC in a systematic and sustainable manner. Advanced technologies in both commercial and industrial…
Interview :Nishita Shah Federbush To what extent is the ongoing political uncertainty impacting local investor confidence? NISHITASHAH FEDERBUSH: Although the general economy has not experienced any major impacts due to election delays, everyone wants a stable government. Traditionally, politics has not really interfered with business. Nevertheless, as long as there is transparency and…
Viewpoint:David Lyman Being a second-generation US lawyer domiciled in Asia, and my family having first settled in East Asia 71 years ago in 1947, I have learned several lessons as to my own role in this geography. The countries and people of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) are extremely diverse in their cultures, histories, customs, moralities, religions, resources, political systems, legal…
Viewpoint : Steven Ciobo One of the most striking things about the economic transformation of the ASEAN region over recent decades is the scale of opportunities yet to be realised. The IMF forecasts that over the next five years, six of ASEAN’s economies will grow faster than China, and every single one of ASEAN’s economies will grow faster than both the US and the EU. In market terms, this means…
Viewpoint : Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha For over half a century ASEAN members have worked together to preserve peace, stability and prosperity in the region. Not only have we provided assistance to alleviate problems caused by natural disasters, but our members have successfully responded to one another’s emergencies in times of need. However, as we reach the 50th anniversary of the association…
A changing economic landscape is the driving force for reform in Thailand’s higher education system, with the Thailand 4.0 economic strategy prompting universities to adapt curricula to meet government policy and industrial demand. Highlighting the current mismatch between skills and industry demands, Chen Namchaisiri, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, told local media in February…
Recognising the need to tackle infrastructure deficiencies as part of plans to develop high-value industries and meet growing tourism demand, the government has shifted its construction targets from power and utilities to transport infrastructure. Indeed the government’s five priority areas for construction work between 2015 and 2022 target various modes of transport, specifically urban connections,…
