Thailand may face labour shortage before five years

Successful birth control in Thailand may cause a shortage of labourers in the country in “less than five years,” warned a senior Labour Ministry official Sunday.

Songsri Boonba, deputy director-general of the Employment Department, said a study by the Labour Market Research Division found that demand for labour in Thailand between 2010-2014 will increase every year, especially in the production, agriculture, industry and service sectors.

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World Bank projects Thai economy to grow 3.5% this year

The World Bank has projected that the Thai economy will grow 3.5 per cent this year and 4 per cent next year, rebounding from last year, when it contracted 2.7 per cent.

Dr Kirida Bhaopichitr, country economist for Thailand at the World Bank’s Bangkok office said Thai exports are projected to expand 15 per cent this year thanks to improved economy of Thailand’s trade partners and recovery of the tourism sector.

Industrial Estate Authority expects 5% income rise in 2010

The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) expects investment in the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate to improve and a five per cent increase of income to reach Bt35 billion in the 2010 fiscal year, said IEAT governor Monta Pranootnorap.

Groups of industries such as electronic parts, electrical appliances, and auto parts from Japan, Taiwan, China and Singapore are expected to invest in Thai industrial estates which are expected to grow about 20 per cent in the next five years, said the IEAT governor.

Thailand to lose Bt3-4 billion revenue from AFTA tariff cuts

Thailand’s Customs Department expects revenue from import and export duties will decline by Bt3-4 billon (US$90-120 million) in the wake of the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) cuts which became effective on January 1, with the department adjusting its role from tariff collector to facilitator, a senior customs official said on Friday.

Thai bourse index likely to fluctuate heavily next year

The Stock Exchange of Thailand’s composite index will remain in an upward trend next year although it will fluctuate greatly in the first and second quarters, according to a leading securities analyst.

Sukij Udomsirikul , first vice president of Siam City Securities Co’s Research Division, projected the index would peak at 880 points and plunge to the lowest at 540 points in 2010. It is likely to stay at an average of 750 million.

Thai leather industry likely to recover next year

The Thai leather industry is very likely to recover next year as exporters manage to shift their markets from the United States to Europe and Japan, according to an industry executive.

Sakul Sikkasamat, president of the Thai Leather Association, said both new markets have begun to accept Thai leather products although their prices are higher than those of China and Vietnam because the Thai products are of higher quality.

Industrial impasse forces largest foreign sell-off in nine months

Thailand’s stock market in November was affected by domestic negative factors including the suspension of Map Ta Phut Industrial projects and an unresolved political situation with the net selling of Bt 13 billion by foreign investors.

Thai shares fell 0.59 per cent Wednesday in a market awash with concerns over domestic politics and the global economy. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index lost 4.11 points to 694.71, while the blue-chip SET-50 index dropped 2.97 points to 487.39.

Three Thai banks clarify roles in Dubai World investments

In a bid to ease concern over impacts of the debt crisis facing state-operated Dubai World on its performance, three domestic commercial banks on Tuesday admitted they had financially supported companies under the umbrella of the giant corporation, but in quite small amounts compared to their assets.

Bangkok Bank (BBL) Executive Chairman Kosit Punpiumrat said the bank loaned US$50 million (about Bt 1.67 billion) to the Dubai World Group Finance Co.

People flock to shop in Thailand Best Buy 2009

People flock to shop in Thailand Best Buy 2009: photo Flickr.com

Presents and cards for New Year are the most popular products sold at the Thailand Best Buy 2009 in the capital city of Bangkok.

More than 2,000 entrepreneurs are displaying their products in the exhibition arranged under the theme “Blooming Happiness with Gift Fair to Welcome New Year Festival.” Most of the goods are offered with 50% discounts. Visitors said they were happy to buy discounted good quality products.

Economy moving downtrend / Suan Dusit Poll

The majority respondents of a survey conducted by the Suan Dusit Rajabhat University agreed that the country’s economy is worsening.

The Suan Dusit poll was conducted among 1,327 people from Dec 1 to 3 on their viewpoints towards their confidence in economic recovery. The poll showed that the majority of the respondents or 71.43% said the country’s economy was moving downward. 56.55% stated that the household expenses were rising and 49.70% said they held the same income.