Controls on financial institution were also reduced. Interest rate ceilings were eliminated by mid-1992 and rules on credit extension became more relaxed. It was hoped that these liberalization measures would lead to greater competition in the domestic financial
System, strengthen domestic financial institutions, and make Bangkok a leading regional financial center. However, two key issues were overlooked. First, whether existing financial institutions were ready for a more liberalized system, and second, whether the supervisory system of the authorities was adequate. It turned out that most commercial banks and financial companies in Thailand at that time lacked adequate experience or maturity, with poor corporate governance. Intra-affiliate lending was prevalent and most of their client also lacked proper financial discipline and corporate governance. Financial mismanagement and so-called “crony capitalism” were widespread. Worse yet, the central authorities at that time did not have the capacity to effectively supervise. Financial institutions. Such deficiency led to widespread imprudent lending by Financial institutions and contributed to widespread speculative investment, particularly in real estate projects, fueling an asset price bubble.
Another crucial mistake of the authorities was their decision to liberalize capital flows across borders while sticking to a fixed exchange rate system and also trying to pursue an independent monetary policy. This is, of course, the classic Mundell “impossible trinity” (Mundell, 1963).