Anucha Charoenpo
Bangkok Post
PHNOM PENH : Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra won plaudits from local businesspeople and high-ranking state officials responsible for the economy for his model to reduce poverty in Cambodia.
Thaksin on Thursday gave a presentation about how the country could go about tackling its economic woes to some 300 businessmen, government officials and civil servants.
''After hearing his presentation, I hope he can help Cambodia a lot,'' said Nang Sothy, president of Thy Holding Group.
Thaksin's presentation was impressive. It drew on his skills and experiences as both a corporate chief and a former prime minister who helped Thailand recover from the 1997 financial crisis, Nang Sothy said.
The recent appointment of Thaksin as an adviser to the Cambodian government has caused relations with Thailand to deteriorate sharply.
''As a businessman, I don't care so much about political or diplomatic problems,'' said Nang Sothy.
''Our economy is recovering. We don't care about the problems that are happening. I hope he (Thaksin) will come back again to help us.''
In Channy, president of Acleda Bank, said Thaksin's advice was knowledgeable and practical.
Thaksin talked about how the capitalist economy would survive and encouraged the Cambodian government to focus on priority sectors, such as the promotion of tourism, In Channy said.
Thailand, Burma, Laos and Cambodia should work together more closely to promote tourism, but each country must have its own plan to develop the industry's infrastructure, Thaksin was quoted as saying.
Thaksin was a very practical man, said Chea Garoda, editor of the Koh Santepheap Daily.
''If we can do just half as much as what he was saying in there, Cambodia and Thailand would benefit quite a lot,'' said Chea Garoda.
Chea Garoda said Thaksin pledged he would return to Cambodia again at some point in the future to talk to a small group of executives from each business sector, especially about the tourism and agriculture industries.
''What he (Thaksin) said is quite genuine and we hope that we can achieve whatever he was saying,'' he said. ''And both countries (Thailand and Cambodia) can benefit from each other.''
Hang Lina, deputy director-general of the Planning Ministry's National Institute of Statistics, said Thaksin would be able to solve Cambodia's economic problems.
''I like the way he used to do in Thailand,'' she said.
Thaksin on Thursday gave a presentation about how the country could go about tackling its economic woes to some 300 businessmen, government officials and civil servants.
''After hearing his presentation, I hope he can help Cambodia a lot,'' said Nang Sothy, president of Thy Holding Group.
Thaksin's presentation was impressive. It drew on his skills and experiences as both a corporate chief and a former prime minister who helped Thailand recover from the 1997 financial crisis, Nang Sothy said.
The recent appointment of Thaksin as an adviser to the Cambodian government has caused relations with Thailand to deteriorate sharply.
''As a businessman, I don't care so much about political or diplomatic problems,'' said Nang Sothy.
''Our economy is recovering. We don't care about the problems that are happening. I hope he (Thaksin) will come back again to help us.''
In Channy, president of Acleda Bank, said Thaksin's advice was knowledgeable and practical.
Thaksin talked about how the capitalist economy would survive and encouraged the Cambodian government to focus on priority sectors, such as the promotion of tourism, In Channy said.
Thailand, Burma, Laos and Cambodia should work together more closely to promote tourism, but each country must have its own plan to develop the industry's infrastructure, Thaksin was quoted as saying.
Thaksin was a very practical man, said Chea Garoda, editor of the Koh Santepheap Daily.
''If we can do just half as much as what he was saying in there, Cambodia and Thailand would benefit quite a lot,'' said Chea Garoda.
Chea Garoda said Thaksin pledged he would return to Cambodia again at some point in the future to talk to a small group of executives from each business sector, especially about the tourism and agriculture industries.
''What he (Thaksin) said is quite genuine and we hope that we can achieve whatever he was saying,'' he said. ''And both countries (Thailand and Cambodia) can benefit from each other.''
Hang Lina, deputy director-general of the Planning Ministry's National Institute of Statistics, said Thaksin would be able to solve Cambodia's economic problems.
''I like the way he used to do in Thailand,'' she said.
4 comments:
On November 25, 2009 an auspicious date to remember!!!!
Thailand and Cambodia should together celebrate the coming birthday of Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda Sirisobhabannavadi of Thailand (Thai: สมเด็จพระเจ้าภคินีเธอ เจ้าฟ้าเพชรรัตนราชสุดา สิริโสภาพัณณวดี) (born 24 November 1925) is the only daughter of late HM King Vajiravudh of Thailand and Queen Suvadhana (who was of Khmer descent). She is a first cousin of current HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej and third cousin of HM King Sihanouk of Cambodia. She is officially styled Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana.
stop calling him "fugitive" would you!
Bravo 5:23 AM! We need this kind of voice in this difficult time. Cambodia and Thailand have so many things in common that its rediculous that we don't get a long.
1. Mr. Thaksin's 'economic' plan to promote toursim will fail if relations between the two countries do not improve. Already tourists are deciding to change their destinations and, let's face it, most tourists will come to SEAsia in order to enjoy Thailand, and Cambodia is an additional jaunt. If Thailand appears too dangerous then tourists won't come. This is already the case and the fears of local hoteliers, business people and anyone involved in tourism (these people obviously weren't invited to Mr. Thaksin's presentation) is increasing daily. P.s. I live in Siem Reap - we are worried - people already discussing moving to other countries to expend their energy and time somewhere which is more stable. What's the point in working to improve the industry if the country's leaders are willing to damage it with ill thought out policies and behaviours.
2. Why should the Cambodian government need to have Thaksin as an economic adviser? As Mr. Sam Rainsy alluded to on the BBC World Service - Cambodia has had decades of international experts from the world bank, IMF etc etc. assisting the country. Many of them without having vested interests in massive telecommunications industries in Cambodia and therefore may be seen as being more objective in their recommendations. Thaksin surely wouldn't recommend any economic policies that would damage his own business interests in favour of the well-being of Cambodia.
3. We can assume that the international experts from World Bank etc have not been convicted, justly or unjustly, of corruption, graft, land grabbing etc. by the home governments.
As a result, the appointment of this gentleman seems designed more to provoke than it is to act as any real solution.
Finally, in all the discussions about which country will come off worse economically, not once have the people been mentioned. If the borders close Thailand will lose more economically, but as imported goods become scarce prices in Cambodia will increase straining an already struggling population.
Why is no-one talking about this?
Government acts in the interests of the people, don't they??
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