Waking Thailand's Economy From A Coma

Posted: 24 Mar 2012 | 6:00 am

One of Thailand's most prolific economic thinkers has published a white paper on the lapse into neverland by the poor stewardship of forward planning.

Dr. Sethaput Suthiwart-Nareput has framed how the country which was a regional leader in the 1980's has lost forward momentum and is loosing market share to other Asian counties.

Citied as leading drivers has been a lack of long term planning and investment by the government. A strong connection between the private and public sector has been mapped out with a follow the leader mentality headed into a dead end street.

Glimpsing an piece in Thailand's Business Report magazine the low level of urbanization is another leading indicator. Whereas other Asian economies have experienced a high level of movement to urban areas, here the process is being stalled by those content to lead marginally productive lives somewhere between Nakhon See Nowhere and the much-vaunted "Up Country".

Is Thailand going to be a leader, follower or just willing to be washed adrift in whatever way the oceans currents dictate remains unclear.

As we've said before - Bangkok are you listening?

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