Year-end Review | Turning Points 2013 is a licensed content magazine. (All Turning Points images, features and essays are provided by The New York Times Syndicate.)

Published by The Post Publishing Public Company Limited, 136 Na Ranong Road, Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110, Thailand. Phone: +66 (0) 2240 3700 ext 3223 Fax: +66 (0) 2240 3660 Email: bpadmin@bangkokpost.co.th

Editor:

Pattnapong Chantranontwong

Business Editor:

Busrin Treerapongpichit

Managing Editor:

Chiratas Nivatpumin

Project coordinator:

Taksina Isarabhakdi

Copy editors:

Eric Baker, Christopher Caillevet, Donald Entz, Peter Hill, Anthony McAuley

Design:

Poravit Sreshthaputra, Chantiya Potayarom, Chanakarn Nikornpornudom

Graphics:

Sataporn Kawewong, Pirada Jaokaew, Choopong Eamoraphan, Tanaporn Autthaporn

Production:

Veman Ittihiranwong

Price $ 8.00

At a time when conflict and upheaval have become commonplace in many parts of the world, Thailand could be regarded as a haven of stability and relative prosperity. One would hardly know it to read the news coverage and commentary on domestic affairs, but then people in every country often claim the right to think the worst about the place they know best.

Economically at least, Thailand has fared better than most, especially given the daunting task we faced at the start of 2012 to recover from the worst floods in memory. The recovery has been helped in part by a government that has linked heavy spending to long-term prosperity. Not everyone agrees with the wisdom of such an approach, and there is lively debate – some of it civil, too much of it downright toxic – about which course is right. This edition of the Year-end Review looks back at some of the main themes of 2012 in an attempt to provide some perspective.

Also included in this publication is selected content from Turning Points, an annual survey of issues and events of global significance from The New York Times Syndicate. Some of those themes rarely change from year to year: the wide gap between the haves and have- nots of the world, or the hopes raised – and often dashed later – following political change.

Asean’s top policymakers and bureaucrats have spent years working out ways to streamline and harmonise regulations to ensure that goods, services, capital and people will be able to move freely from one country to another.

In addition, we present a selection of photographs of notable firsts that occurred in 2012 as well as a look back in pictures at some of the events that defined the year.

It is our great hope that these reflections on 2012 help readers take stock of where we have been in the past year and provoke thought about where we are going in 2013 and beyond.

The Editors

    • One economy, two visions

      The Yingluck administration’s populist schemes have gone over well, but critics want to shift the focus to long-term investment

      By PARISTA YUTHAMANOP

    • Pheu Thai can’t rest on its laurels

      Government is winning fans for keeping its costly election promises and its opponents appear weakened, but Pheu Thai shouldn’t push its luck with hasty charter moves

      By NATTAYA CHETCHOTIROS

    • Charter change, unity bills could spark more unrest

      By NATTAYA CHETCHOTIROS

    • Spend more to make more

      Government insists populist spending and big-ticket investments will create a stronger, more sustainable economy in the long run without leading to debt trouble

      By WICHIT CHANTANUSORNSIRI

    • Prudent debt management gives sound foundation

      By WICHIT CHANTANUSORNSIRI

    • Taking stock of success

      Local equity market raises profile among global investors in terms of performance, variety and improved efficiency

      By NUNTAWUN POLKUAMDEE

    • Building on strengths

      Large local lenders are ready to make new moves into Asean, while smaller players are carefully carving out local market niches where they can prosper

      By SOMRUEDIBANCHONGDUANG

    • Seeds of doubt

      Government in denial about shortcomings of rice pledging, which gives farmers a quick income fix and enriches others but puts the future of the industry in peril

      By WALAILAKKEERATIPIPATPONG

    • Industries face year of adaptation

      Despite severe effects from major floods in 2011, Thailand’s industrial sector recovered quickly as manufacturers increased investment in machinery to serve increased orders

      By NANCHANOKWONGSAMUTH

    • BoI braces for wave of Japanese SMEs

      By NANCHANOKWONGSAMUTH

    • Underpinning growth

      By CHATRUDEE THEPARAT

    • Export forecasts more subdued for 2013

      The global economy will remain fragile, and emerging markets may be Thailand’s only hope

      By PHUSADEE ARUNMAS

    • Kittiratt’s white lie still reverberates

      By PHUSADEE ARUNMAS

    • The bottom line for business

      Debate continues as to whether the looming wage hike will force companies to close or raise people’s purchasing power enough to compensate

      By SOONYA VANICHKORN

    • Migrant workers play a complicated role

      By SOONYA VANICHKORN

    • Top-10 finish in sight

      Thailand-based automakers enjoying a bumper year, helped by economic recovery and first-car tax rebates

      By NAREERAT WIRIYAPONG

    • Good farm technology and management keys to success abroad

      By Walailak Keeratipipatpong

    • Energy’s need for diversification

      Fast-growing power demand has led to a serious rethink of policy for long-term sustainability

      By YUTHANA PRAIWAN

    • Tills ready to jingle

      Healthy Thai economy, rising wages and increasing urbanisation fuelling consumer demand for ever-increasing variety

      By PITSINEE JITPLEECHEEP

    • Community malls here to stay

      By PITSINEE JITPLEECHEEP

    • The trend toward sustainable tourism

      With the industry finally recovering from all the problems of recent years, new markets must be tapped to maintain the momentum

      By CHADAMAS CHINMANEEVONG

    • Hotel outlook remains hazy

      By CHADAMAS CHINMANEEVONG

    • Telecoms turn the page

      After years of delay and eleventh-hour court drama, regulators finally issue 3G licences to the Big Three

      By SRISAMORN PHOOSUPHANUSORN

    • Promising outlook continues

      Changes in Bangkok city plan may affect what types of properties are developed and in what locations, but they are likely to find eager buyers

      By KANANA KATHARANGSIPORN

    • The quest for beauty

      Innovative products are helping image-conscious consumers to turn back the clock, keep up appearances and delay the effects of ageing

      By ARUSA PISUTHIPAN, KANOKPORN CHANASONGKRAM, NAPAMON ROONGWITOO and SUKHUMAPORN LAIYOK

    • Social media in Thailand: All a part of the machine

      By ONSIRI PRAVATTIYAGUL and KONG RITHDEE

    • Changing the channels

      Proliferation of satellite and cable choices is good for consumers and is also keeping operators on their toes. Just ask TrueVisions, which won’t have Premier League football in 2013

      By KRISSANA PARNSOONTHORN