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[Sexpat]

"Only 30 per cent of Thai businesses were confident in the economy's prospects, much lower than the 54 per cent across the East Asia region, according to an international business survey by consultancy Grant Thornton. Sluggish consumer confidence, a slowdown in investment due to political concerns and rising oil prices all helped to dampen the business environment. . .

In Thailand, the economic outlook over the past few has been grim due to events that have rocked market sentiment and consumer confidence, including the military coup, capital controls and proposed amendments to the Foreign Business Act (FBA). . .

Sluggish demand in domestic and global markets has prompted Thai businesses to slow down investments, particularly in new buildings, plants and machinery. This year, only 22 per cent of Thai businesses invested in new buildings and just 9 per cent in plants and machinery - both lower than those of East Asian countries.

. . .The survey also showed that Thailand was the only country where more business operators considered globalisation a threat (32 per cent) than an opportunity (27 per cent). In East Asia, as much as 56 per cent considered globalisation an opportunity, while only 17 per cent saw it as a threat.

More than half of all Thai enterprises, believed raw-material costs and energy costs would have a strong impact on profitability next year. Thailand also ranked poorly in managing energy cost pressures."

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=123598