Thailand Business News

• Thai food export to decline on higher costs

  Thai food exports in the second and third quarters of 2012 are projected to decline owing to the slowing global economy and higher Thai production costs, according to the National Food Institute (NFI). In April-June, the production is likely to slow in tandem with exports.

• Unaccountability remains two years after crackdown on Red Shirts

  Two years after the crackdown by the Thai military on Red Shirt protestors, the government has not arrested or charged any soldier or official for the deaths and injuries committed, Human Rights Watch said this Tuesday during a press conference. The organization called for the withdrawal of an amnesty bill submitted to Parliament that would protect those involved in the 2010 abuses from prosecution.

• How the Philippines benefits from Australia’s booming links with China

  East Asia’s substantially market-led economic integration is a very complex process and is leading to some surprising effects.  One example is that of Australia’s booming trade and investment with the People’s Republic of China (PRC), which is pushing up the value of the Australian dollar, and consequently enticing Australian companies to outsource business processing services to the Philippines. Over the past decade, Australia has enjoyed one of the best economic performances of any OECD country.  While many structural reforms over the past few decades and sound macroeconomic management have underpinned this, Australia’s closer relationship with the PRC has also played a major role.

Bangkokpost.com : Top Stories

• Anti-money laundering law to be strengthened

  The Anti-Money Laundering Act will be amended and strengthened by the end of this year because the intergovernmental Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF) has now blacklisted Thailand for not responding to its suggestions, Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na Ranong said on Thursday.

• Execs vow to swell ranks of Pheu Thai

  The 111 former executives of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party look set help the Pheu Thai Party sharply increase its membership rolls.

• Dems prepare for budget showdown

  The Democrat Party is planning to attack the government over its spending plans for projects claiming to help protect the monarchy during the 2013 budget debate next week.

L.A. Times - Asia

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  As India's old ways change, senior-care homes are on the rise

  More of India's urban families are rejecting traditional extended-family households, so older relatives are increasingly moving into elder-care facilities, an idea long stigmatized in the country.TRIVANDRUM, India — R. Padmanathan Nair sits on a plastic chair in the entryway of the Heritage senior home talking about the fellow residents who treat him like family, which is helpful seeing as his own rarely visits.- 15-05-2012 | 12:00
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  After slamming brakes on growth, China reaches for stimulus

  Industrial production, imports and exports show signs of a slowdown. The deceleration is being felt in the U.S., especially Southern California.BEIJING — After months of careful tinkering aimed at slowing China's supercharged economy, Chinese officials may have gotten more than they bargained for: The nation's economic engine is decelerating with alarming speed.- 15-05-2012 | 7:00
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  Afghan police units tangled in criminal activity

  A U.S.-backed program to recruit police has failed to significantly stem the insurgency, with some units becoming deeply entangled in criminal activity, including bribe-taking and extortion, a Pentagon-funded study finds.WASHINGTON — A U.S.-backed program to recruit police in rural Afghanistan has failed to significantly stem the insurgency, with some units becoming deeply entangled in criminal activity, including bribe-taking and extortion, according to a Pentagon-funded study.- 14-05-2012 | 12:57