Thailand needs visionaries, must become a trading hub: Pridiyathorn

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Thailand needs visionaries, must become a trading hub: Pridiyathorn
By Achara Deboonme
The Nation 2011-03-22

The five major political parties will retain their grip on power after the election and no matter who ends up partnering with whom, under the circumstances there is little hope for help to buoy the beleaguered economy, MR Pridiyathorn Devakula, a former deputy prime minister, said yesterday.

In his speech on the "Prospects for the Thai Economy during the Election Year and Beyond" to the Euromoney Thailand Investment Forum, Pridiyathorn, also a former Bank of Thailand governor, laid out coalition scenarios that could influence both the political reconciliation process and stewardship of the economy.

In the first, most remote scenario, where the Democrat and Pheu Thai parties form a coalition government, progress in reconciliation and economic management would be very fast.

In the second scenario, where the coalition parties renew their cooperation, "everything will stay put" with continued "red" protests.

In the third scenario, where Pheu Thai leads a coalition government, the reconciliation process could improve and better economic management is promised, he said.

All the key players will stay in this "election game". While the Democrat Party has not paid much attention to economic issues, as seen from the past two years, Pheu Thai is directionless without a clear leader, he said. Bhum Jai Thai is dubbed as "a chapter of wealth creation".

Whatever the scenario, it would not easily help elevate the economy to a higher stage of development. Political party leaders are crucial in guiding the nation out of economic constraints, as the economy is reaching a point where it can no longer grow by focusing on manufacturing, given the rapidly depleting resources and growing environmental concerns.

Visionary leaders are needed who realise that Thailand must be geared towards a "trading nation" status as that could bring more wealth to the Kingdom and improve income distribution.

Thailand enjoys growth in hotels and hospitals, but trade is limited to products produced in Thailand and consumed by Thais. For Thailand to step up into a role as a trading hub for products produced by others and consumed by others, it needs proper rail links and deep-sea ports in the Andaman Sea to facilitate exports to the Middle East, Europe and Africa. Since Thailand is the major supplier of rice, sugar and rubber to the world, there is plenty of potential and exporters would become global merchants.

"Thailand could become a trading nation, with the right perception of leaders who can implement needed changes. If we are to become a trading nation, we need strong support from the government, particularly for the rail links and harbours.
Can we find that leader?
Now, no. Some persons have the qualifications but they don't want to enter politics," he said.