Comments on: The Democrats, Foreign Money & Populist Socialism

By: stefan

stefan — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 12:53:01 +0000

Frank Sinatra would have had a field day in politics here – I did it MY way – Perhaps the cab driver that once told me “I know money can’t buy happiness, but I would like to find that out for myself” was right, and this applies to Thailand’s need to take her own course, though I wonder if it is “her” course or where are they borrowing their models from?

Thanks for the heads-up on that Dan, great article as always.

By: BangkokDan

BangkokDan — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:59:48 +0000

Nothing left to nationalize in Thailand …

In short: Privatization – on paper – equals more profit equals less social security.

There was lots of privatization talk in Thailand some years ago, but the lobbies – and monopolies! – of those costly state giants are well entrenched.

You’re spot on stefan, today’s global trend is rather “backwards” towards protectionism and, yes, nationalization – with the declared aim of unloading state investments to “re-privatize” once the crisis is over.

So Abhisit follows the trend, with the difference that injections of state capital into failed companies in the West may lead to asset stripping and healthier companies.

Not here. From what I can tell is free liquidity will be pumped into losers. That’s postponing and even inflating a problem. Not solving it.

BangkokDan

By: stefan

stefan — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:39:56 +0000

Comparing mangoes and blueberries – funny you mention the privatisation taboo, and pardon my ignorance: Isn’t privatization a reaction of a bullish economy – we hear talk of nationalizing the banks and institutions in U.S. & U.K.? Enlighten me please.