Country Rating1
Rating: A4
Business Climate Rating1
Rating: A3
Risk Assessment2
Recovery in 2015
In 2014, the Thai economy sharply slowed down in a context of political crisis, high household debt and sluggish global demand. Economic activity picked up again in 2015. Nevertheless, the recovery remains moderate due to structural constraints in the Thai economy and significant overcapacities. Effectively, the country suffers from a shortage of skilled labor and investment in R&D and the political instability has damaged the business climate. Growth is, however, expected to accelerate, sustained by the measures introduced by the government appointed after the coup d’état aimed at restoring investor confidence and reinvigorating demand. It ended the rice price-support scheme, but financial aid will be allocated to rice, sugar and rubber producers. Moreover, private consumption will also benefit from a cap on oil prices and also from the continuation of the income tax cuts introduced by the previous government, as well as from further relief for the poorest households. The government also scheduled major investments in infrastructure in order to modernize ground transport and the country's logistics system. Furthermore, the end of the political instability should enable the tourism sector, which represents 10% of GDP, to recover despite the spread of the Coronavirus. However, Thai exports will continue to suffer from the weakness in the price of commodities, the slowdown in China, the country's main trading partner and the sluggishness in global demand, while the 2015 summer drought may affect the harvests.
The financial situation remains solid
In spite of the fiscal stimulus policies introduced by the government, the budget deficit is expected to remain stable and public debt sustainable in 2015. The public debt, 98% held by residents, will remain below the 60% ceiling fixed by the Constitution.
On the external level, the current account balance improved in 2014 mainly due to the deceleration of goods imports. In 2015, the current account balance should continue to improve. The fall in the price of oil will ensure the country's energy bill is controlled. Moreover, despite the recurrent political crises, Thailand remains a preferred manufacturing production base for the automobile and electronics industries.
The fragile political stability and the reduction in available liquidity because of the tightening of American monetary policy, make the country vulnerable to a crisis of investor confidence. Nevertheless, the level of foreign exchange reserves is comfortable (7.5 months of imports in 2014) providing the country with a satisfactory capacity to resist sudden capital flight.
The 22 May coup d’état made it possible to stabilize the situation but the country remains divided.
Yingluck Shinawatra was forced to dissolve parliament in December 2013 and call early elections in February 2014 because of unrest protests sparked by an amnesty bill, which rekindled tensions between the pro- and anti-Thaksin factions. The February 2014 elections were boycotted by the opposition and were then invalidated by the Constitutional Court in March, only 89% of the constituencies having been able to elect their representative. Although Yingluck was dismissed on 7 May for abuse of power, the army declared martial law on 20 May, invoking the risk of civil war. On 22 May, the head of the army, General Prayuth, announced a coup d’état, a curfew, suspension of the Constitution and the creation of a National Council for Peace and Order. On 21 August, he was named Prime Minister by the parliament and formed a government, two thirds composed of militaries. He also indicated that no election could take place before the necessary reforms had been made. Initially, scheduled for the end of 2015, the elections have now been postponed to 2016 the government wants to hold a referendum on the future Constitution before setting parliamentary elections, whose outcome is uncertain. In fact, the pro-Thaksins have won all the ballots since 2001 due to their popularity in rural areas. Nevertheless, the policy introduced by the military government is of a kind to achieve acceptance from the rural population and the provisions of the new Constitution may limit the role of the elections in the appointment of the parliament and the government. New episodes of political instability may occur, divisions in Thai society run deep and the succession of the king – a symbol of continuity and political stability – remains uncertain.
Strengths
Diversified and efficient agricultural and industrial production
Regional hub open to its dynamic neighbors
Strengthened banking system
Weaknesses
Recurrent political instability since 2006
Thai external trade dependent on the Chinese economy
Business climate marked by persistent links between the private sector and political circles
High household debt