Another strategy of the IMF package has been more problematical. This is the
need to generate foreign exchange through medium to long-term foreign investment in
business enterprises and privatisation of state enterprises. In late 1997, full foreign ownership
of financial institutions was permitted for 10 years, with a grand father clause protecting the
absolute amount of the foreign owner's equity holding. Assets of closed down financial
institutions are being auctioned off (to both domestic and foreign buyers). Privatisation of
state enterprises was also highlighted as a medium term strategy.13 This strategy has come
under considerable attack from various social and business groups; such as NGO's, labour
unions, some academics and business groups. As the Baht depreciated and the recession
became more severe, critics highlighted this IMF strategy as a "fire-sale" tactic to benefit
foreign investors. To push for foreign buyouts at a time when the economy is at its weakest
and the Baht at its lowest is likely to lead to very low prices for domestic enterprises. Even
now, this is still a very controversial issue, especially with regards to the privatisation of state
enterprises. Actually, as with the tight fiscal stance at the beginning of the IMF program, if
the large recession and current account surplus were perceived at the time when the IMF
program was drawn up, this strategy should have been downplayed. It makes implementation
of the adjustment program much more difficult on political economy grounds. In particular,
the program to privatise state enterprises has been on-going in Thailand well before the crisis.
The rationale at that time was much more socially acceptable; being attempts to reduce the
burden on public expenditures, increase efficiency and improve services. Once privatisation
was linked to the IMF Program, those with vested interests in opposing privatisation were
given a new potent ammunition to strengthen their arguments. The battle over privatisation,
particularly selling substantial stakes in state enterprises to foreign strategic partners, is ongoing.