I don't know whether to laugh or frown at these sort of reports.
For a start, FDI into Thailand has dropped off a cliff over the last decade- Vietnam for example, which attracted a fraction of Thailand's foreign investment a decade ago, now safely exceeds Thailand in this regard. That's a major ten year turnaround, especially considering that "Thailand best country to start up business".
Transparency International has ranked Thailand lower on it's global index than at any time since Banharn (Mr 10%) I believe, quite a precipitous drop compared to any government from Thaksin era onwards. Thailand's response? Well that came out just recently- to declare 'Transparency Thailand' independent of Transparency International! And who possibly fails to get the joke- "Transparency Thailand".
At least they have a sense of humor.
Then there is the recent report that came out- bar operators complaining about the torrent of tight uniforms of several different colors asking for, erm, charitable donations. This has happened since the last coup. Anyone know a happy bar/ restaurant owner here? I'd love to meet him. Just one example of many, Mata Hari- one of Pattaya's most esteemed and long established fine dining restaurants (and my personal favorite) closed down late last year, due to 'trading conditions' according to Louis Noll, the owner.
I fully acknowledge the efforts of the Thai gov't and Thaksins (whoops, the Generals) economic guru Somkid to attract, or rather re-attract, FDI with generous tax concessions, tax holidays and so forth. But I can only half agree with the survey. Thailand seems every bit as attractive a place to close a business as open one up.
More to follow...