Articles by: Joseph O' Connor

Public apathy towards politics as government hinges on the bond between two ex-army generals

Public apathy towards politics as government hinges on the bond between two ex-army generals

September 26, 2021

Personal, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

The latest opinion poll again shows the public are switched off politics with nearly one third expressing no preference for any leader with General Prayut… Read More ›

Government borrows more to bring the economy through an extended Covid 19 crisis with GDP flat

Government borrows more to bring the economy through an extended Covid 19 crisis with GDP flat

September 22, 2021

Economy, Personal, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

In the aftermath of the announcement to borrow more and further fiscal stimulus approved by the cabinet on Tuesday, Kasikorn Research Centre has pointed out… Read More ›

PM battles hard to stabilise the government, now fatally weakened within and without parliament

PM battles hard to stabilise the government, now fatally weakened within and without parliament

September 17, 2021

Economy, Personal, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

The latest broadside is a court order directing the National Anti-Corruption Commission to disclose a summary of its findings of an investigation into Deputy Prime… Read More ›

Bank of Thailand boss hints at a digital baht which may help revive the virus ravaged cash economy

Bank of Thailand boss hints at a digital baht which may help revive the virus ravaged cash economy

September 13, 2021

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

New digital currency will be secure but it will need to be traceable to prevent fraud while offering its users far more security. The ‘new… Read More ›

PM moves against cabal within Palang Pracharat behind failed heave against him – Thamanat out

PM moves against cabal within Palang Pracharat behind failed heave against him – Thamanat out

September 10, 2021

Foreigners, More News from Thailand, Politics, Thailand:

The aftermath of last week’s political drama may have only just begun playing out as the removal of the junior minister confirms reports that a… Read More ›

New normal tourism may see foreign and local tourists segregated at Pattaya tourist attractions

New normal tourism may see foreign and local tourists segregated at Pattaya tourist attractions

September 6, 2021

Economy, Personal, Thai World, Thailand:

Figures from Phuket show an average spend of ฿57,949 for each visitor but nearly 50% of this went on certified accommodation and medical bills. The… Read More ›

Chastened PM Prayut survives but minor coalition parties and Anutin are the winners of the big vote

Chastened PM Prayut survives but minor coalition parties and Anutin are the winners of the big vote

September 5, 2021

Foreigners, More News from Thailand, Politics, Thailand:

After this week’s censure debate in parliament and vote on Saturday, it is clear that the man to watch in Thai politics right now is… Read More ›

Only 13% will visit Thailand under the kingdom’s demanding entry process with 2021 economic growth at stake

Only 13% will visit Thailand under the kingdom’s demanding entry process with 2021 economic growth at stake

September 2, 2021

Economy, Personal, Politics, Thai World, Thailand:

Readers survey has some good news for the government as problems grow for the Phuket Sandbox with a ‘crisis’ now on the island according to… Read More ›

Rising infections, bad press and burdensome rules still real threats to the slowing Phuket Sandbox

Rising infections, bad press and burdensome rules still real threats to the slowing Phuket Sandbox

August 28, 2021

Economy, Personal, Thai World, Thailand:

The Phuket Sandbox has now come to represent Thailand’s efforts to refloat its foreign tourism industry. Last week saw Police Lieutenant General Surachate Hakparn or… Read More ›

Officials switch to prioritising economic recovery as CCSA expected to agree a new Covid approach

Officials switch to prioritising economic recovery as CCSA expected to agree a new Covid approach

August 25, 2021

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

The baht rallied by 1% on Tuesday along with the stock exchange after it became clear that the Thai government is intent on reopening the… Read More ›

Richest man in Thailand says COVID-19 is like a World War, the kingdom could end up a big loser

Richest man in Thailand says COVID-19 is like a World War, the kingdom could end up a big loser

August 20, 2021

Economy, Foreigners, More News from Thailand, Thailand:

The latest test for the government comes as the country’s last engine of economic growth finds itself under attack from the Delta variant of the… Read More ›

Bigger crisis than 1997 as taxis give up and central bank urges up to ฿1 trillion more in public debt

Bigger crisis than 1997 as taxis give up and central bank urges up to ฿1 trillion more in public debt

August 17, 2021

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

The economy continues to be impacted by extended lockdown measures and trillions of baht lost through the effective closure of the foreign tourism industry. Amid… Read More ›

Foreigners in Thailand have nearly ฿600 billion in the bank as inequality and poverty rise alarmingly

Foreigners in Thailand have nearly ฿600 billion in the bank as inequality and poverty rise alarmingly

August 11, 2021

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

Figures published this week show a strong financial system but a deeply dysfunctional economy plagued by growing inequality. Thailand’s economic problems date back to well… Read More ›

Rising prospect of GDP contraction for 2021 may see government breach the legal public debt limit

Rising prospect of GDP contraction for 2021 may see government breach the legal public debt limit

August 4, 2021

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

The Thai government is facing ever more dismal economic prospects as an export sector leader warns of calamity if firms continue to lose hundreds of… Read More ›

Phuket and Ko Samui pilot tourism reopenings feel the strain as infection numbers rise on holiday islands

Phuket and Ko Samui pilot tourism reopenings feel the strain as infection numbers rise on holiday islands

July 31, 2021

Economy, Living, Personal, Thai World, Thailand:

The collapse of Thailand’s foreign tourism industry since April 2020 has seen Thailand, a country already experiencing a lower than normal growth level, become the… Read More ›

A dead mother beside her children and a taxi driver who slept, show us a nation riven by an extended crisis

A dead mother beside her children and a taxi driver who slept, show us a nation riven by an extended crisis

July 27, 2021

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

Shocking stories from the streets, a rented room, taxi and even a temple tell us about a crisis and suffering that is more stark and… Read More ›

Party leader and popular candidate for PM calls for political unity, presents a plan to defeat the virus

Party leader and popular candidate for PM calls for political unity, presents a plan to defeat the virus

July 25, 2021

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

Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan is an experienced former cabinet minister who was the leading candidate for Prime Minister of the largest Thai political party during the… Read More ›

State regulatory process linked with Thailand’s vaccination programme’s chronic delays admits top official

State regulatory process linked with Thailand’s vaccination programme’s chronic delays admits top official

July 23, 2021

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

The National Vaccine Security Act 2018, a law passed by the National Legislative Assembly, appears to have been the template for the government’s incoherent vaccine… Read More ›

10-year visas for the right kind of foreigner who can play a part in Thailand’s economic future

10-year visas for the right kind of foreigner who can play a part in Thailand’s economic future

July 17, 2021

Economy, Foreigners, More News from Thailand, Thailand:

Plan from Thailand’s Energy Minister and Deputy Prime Minister at the Centre for Economic Situation Administration (CESA) highlights the need to attract foreigners with capital,… Read More ›

Economic fears rising as Thailand faces a bigger crisis than 1997 with rising job losses and debt

Economic fears rising as Thailand faces a bigger crisis than 1997 with rising job losses and debt

July 13, 2021

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

Any growth at all now for 2021 is questionable as the head of the Public Debt Management Office suggests the government may be able to… Read More ›