UTCC:Thailand's competitiveness will enhance once politics becomes stable

BANGKOK, May 15 (TNA) - Bangkok-based University of the Thai Chamber Commerce (UTCC) says if only the Thai politics becomes stable, national competitiveness in the region will be stronger. Aat Pisanwanich, Director of the UTCC's Center for International Trade Studies, pointed out on Thursday if only Thailand solved domestic political problems, the country's competitiveness in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) market will increase. Aat acknowledged that Thailand had lost export markets, worth over 180 billion baht, to other ASEAN member countries during 2007-2013, when the Thai Kingdom signed free trade agreements (FTAs) with ASEAN's three dialogue partners, including China, Japan and South Korea. Aat told journalists that Thai products having lost competitiveness in the region include rice, raw palm oil and garments, while Thai goods which have maintained medium competitiveness include wooden products and electrical appliances. The director predicted if domestic political problems continued until late this year, Thai wooden and electrical products would lose their competitiveness and the loss of Thai export markets to other ASEAN member countries could rise to 250 billion baht. Under that circumstance, the director cautioned, 700,000-800,000 of over two million Thai small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), accounting for 30-40 per cent of the total, would have to shut down. (TNA)