Articles by: Joseph O' Connor

Thaksin’s visit to Chiang Mai lays down a marker. The ex-PM is still a compelling political force in Thailand

Thaksin’s visit to Chiang Mai lays down a marker. The ex-PM is still a compelling political force in Thailand

March 16, 2024

Living, Politics, Thailand:

Thaksin’s Chiang Mai return: Political marker laid down by Ex-PM. Thaksin’s visit to Chiang Mai signals his enduring political clout. Amidst tears and cheers, he… Read More ›

Threat from contaminated fruit and vegetables from China part of a wider problem facing the kingdom

Threat from contaminated fruit and vegetables from China part of a wider problem facing the kingdom

March 11, 2024

Economy, Living, Thailand:

Contaminated Chinese imports threaten Thai markets. Shift from China to India ahead. The Thai retail and manufacturing sector is under pressure from tainted imports. Government… Read More ›

Thailand faces an uphill struggle to become the aviation hub it once was before the pandemic era

Thailand faces an uphill struggle to become the aviation hub it once was before the pandemic era

March 2, 2024

Economy, Living, Thailand:

Thailand’s Aviation Hub Dream. An ambitious plan for 150 million arrivals or is this pie in the sky? Certainly, PM Srettha’s bold vision faces critical… Read More ›

Economic danger signals as PM pushes expansionary goals. Fears of a credit rating downgrade this year

Economic danger signals as PM pushes expansionary goals. Fears of a credit rating downgrade this year

February 29, 2024

More News from Thailand:

Thailand is at risk of a credit downgrade due to populist economic policies and a rising tide of debt. Economic stability may be threatened as… Read More ›

Bank of Thailand holding strong against quite a strident push by the PM for more populist economics as debt levels rise

Bank of Thailand holding strong against quite a strident push by the PM for more populist economics as debt levels rise

February 22, 2024

Economy, Living, Personal, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

Bank of Thailand holds firm against the PM’s relentless campaign and stinging criticism. Tension escalates as the government puts further pressure on for interest rate… Read More ›

By 2074, Thailand’s population will fall to 30 million people even based on the current birth rate which is still falling

By 2074, Thailand’s population will fall to 30 million people even based on the current birth rate which is still falling

February 19, 2024

Economy, Living, Personal, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

Thailand’s population is set to plummet. Crisis looms as birth rate drops. Senior minister calls for urgent action as the population is predicted to more… Read More ›

Ex-PM Thaksin finally returns home to his residence in Bangkok after 17 years away, released on parole

Ex-PM Thaksin finally returns home to his residence in Bangkok after 17 years away, released on parole

February 18, 2024

Foreigners, Living, More News from Thailand, Politics, Thailand:

Thaksin Shinawatra ignites parole controversy as ex-PM returns home after 17 Years. Cheers and questions surround the former Thai leader’s homecoming. What’s next for Thailand’s… Read More ›

PM wakes up to threat of cheap Chinese goods dumped on Thailand driven by misguided economic policies

PM wakes up to threat of cheap Chinese goods dumped on Thailand driven by misguided economic policies

February 16, 2024

Economy, Living, Personal, Thai World, Thailand:

Thai PM raises the alarm over Chinese product onslaught: Trade deficit balloons, economic future growth and well being is at risk. The government is urged… Read More ›

Property market glut sees minister’s call for supports in the face of the central bank’s ongoing credit crunch

Property market glut sees minister’s call for supports in the face of the central bank’s ongoing credit crunch

February 9, 2024

Economy, Living, Personal, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

Finance Ministry urges support for homebuyers amid Bank of Thailand’s credit crunch. Deputy Minister Krisada calls for coordinated fiscal-monetary policy to tackle challenges. It comes… Read More ›

Thailand in crisis as population declined by over 500k over the last four years according to the latest data

Thailand in crisis as population declined by over 500k over the last four years according to the latest data

February 7, 2024

Economy, Living, Personal, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

Thailand in Crisis: Population plummets by 500k in 4 Years. Economic growth stagnates as the ageing crisis looms. Social Security fund faces bankruptcy. Urgent government… Read More ›

Elephant pants should be a Thai success story. Instead, it is a story of economic policy failure as manufacturing slips 

Elephant pants should be a Thai success story. Instead, it is a story of economic policy failure as manufacturing slips 

February 4, 2024

Culture, Economy, Foreigners, Living, More News from Thailand, Thailand:

Thailand’s economic struggles take centre stage as the global success of elephant pants reveals a harsh truth – over 70% are manufactured in China. The… Read More ›

Central Bank warns interest rates are a short-term tool. Lower borrowing rates can also have adverse consequences

Central Bank warns interest rates are a short-term tool. Lower borrowing rates can also have adverse consequences

February 2, 2024

Economy, Foreigners, Living, More News from Thailand, Thailand:

Bank of Thailand cautions against interest rate cuts, highlighting short-term gains with potential long-term pitfalls. Senior Director Sakkapop Panyanukul emphasises winners and losers in the… Read More ›

Government steps up campaign targeting the Bank of Thailand on interest rates citing an economic ‘crisis’

Government steps up campaign targeting the Bank of Thailand on interest rates citing an economic ‘crisis’

January 31, 2024

Economy, Living, Personal, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

Populist rhetoric rises as officials criticise the central bank’s monetary policy. The Government is pressuring the Bank of Thailand to cut rates, but its Governor… Read More ›

Move Forward faces dissolution after Constitutional Court rules it tried to subvert the monarchy

Move Forward faces dissolution after Constitutional Court rules it tried to subvert the monarchy

January 31, 2024

Foreigners, Living, More News from Thailand, Politics, Thailand:

Move Forward Party faces dissolution as the Constitutional Court deems the attempt to amend Article 112 of the Criminal Code a threat to the Monarchy.… Read More ›

Political shock. Activist Srisuwan arrested in police swoop, plainclothes officers at Government House

Political shock. Activist Srisuwan arrested in police swoop, plainclothes officers at Government House

January 26, 2024

Crime, Foreigners, Living, More News from Thailand, Politics, Thailand:

Arrests linked to an extortion plot against a senior civil servant plunges Thai politics into turmoil, exposing connections to UTN candidates. The scandal promises aftershocks… Read More ›

Pita lives to fight another day. Next week, the court decides the future of the Move Forward Party

Pita lives to fight another day. Next week, the court decides the future of the Move Forward Party

January 25, 2024

Foreigners, Living, More News from Thailand, Politics, Thailand:

Pita wins the case amid uncertainty. The Move Forward Party’s fate still hangs in the balance. In a landmark ruling, the Constitutional Court cleared Pita… Read More ›

It’s not an economic crisis, it’s a quagmire of structural problems that cannot be fixed overnight 

It’s not an economic crisis, it’s a quagmire of structural problems that cannot be fixed overnight 

January 24, 2024

Economy, Living, Personal, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

On Tuesday, Bank of Thailand Governor Sethaput rejected the term ‘crisis’ despite slower growth. However, the clash with PM Srettha deepened as, on Wednesday, Mr… Read More ›

Central bank: the corporate bond market is sound but the economy needs long-term structural reform

Central bank: the corporate bond market is sound but the economy needs long-term structural reform

January 20, 2024

Economy, Foreigners, Living, More News from Thailand, Politics, Thailand:

Bank of Thailand: The corporate bond market is strong. However, the economy needs a long-term overhaul. Rollover risks of corporate bonds downplayed. With global factors… Read More ›

Digital Wallet plan blown out of the water by corruption body on Tuesday warning of illegality  

Digital Wallet plan blown out of the water by corruption body on Tuesday warning of illegality  

January 17, 2024

Economy, Foreigners, Living, More News from Thailand, Politics, Thailand:

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has dealt a severe blow to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s Digital Wallet initiative, warning of potential legal violations related to… Read More ›

Thai PM and top leaders fly the flag at Davos as IMF says AI benefits  wealthier countries far more

Thai PM and top leaders fly the flag at Davos as IMF says AI benefits wealthier countries far more

January 15, 2024

Culture, Economy, Foreigners, Living, More News from Thailand, Politics, Thailand:

Thai PM Srettha Thavisin leads at Davos, rallying ‘Team Thailand’ with top execs. IMF warns AI benefits wealthier nations more, posing challenges for Thailand. The… Read More ›