เตรียมรับ "ความเครียด" ภัยพิบัติชีวิต

เหตุการณ์หนึ่งที่มักเกิดขึ้นควบ คู่ไปกับการเร่งผลักดันให้ประเทศเติบโตทางเศรษฐกิจ นั่นคือ “ความเครียด” ที่เพิ่มขึ้นของคนในประเทศ และส่งผลให้เห็นตัวเลขที่ชัดเจนของสถิติ “ผู้ป่วยทางจิต” ที่มีแนวโน้มสูงขึ้นอย่างต่อเนื่อง

อะไรคือเครื่องมือในการวัดหรือประเมินคุณภาพ

สถาบันพัฒนาและรับรองคุณภาพโรงพยาบาล ได้ให้ความหมายของ เครื่องชี้วัด ( Indicators ) ว่า "เป็นเครื่องมือในการวัดหรือประเมินคุณภาพวิธีหนึ่ง สามารถเป็นเครื่องประเมินได้ทั้งผลลัพธ์ และกระบวนการ .. โดยเครื่องชี้วัดที่ดี ต้องมีความน่าเชื่อถือ มีความถูกต้อง และสามารถประเมินในสิ่งที่เราต้องการประเมินได้ว่าอยู่ในระดับใด"

มองปัญหาด้วยโลกทัศน์เชิงบวก

วิคเตอร์ แฟรงเคิล เป็นหนึ่งในชาวยิวที่ถูกจับไปอยู่ในค่ายกักกันนาซีที่ดาเกา กล่าวว่า ในค่ายกักกันนั้นพวกผู้คุมได้ปล้นเอาทุกอย่างไปจากเขา ทั้งความเป็นตัวตนของเขา เอาภรรยาของเขาไป เอาครอบครัว เสื้อผ้า และแม้กระทั่งเอาแหวนแต่งงานของเขาไป แต่มีอยู่อย่างหนึ่งที่ไม่มีใครเอาจากเขาไปได้ โดยวิคเตอร์ได้กล่าวไว้ในหนังสือเล่มหนึ่งว่า "เสรีภาพสุดท้ายของมนุษย์ก็คือ ความสามารถที่จะเลือกทัศนคติของตนในสถานการณ์ที่เผชิญอยู่"

Credit Bureau for All

Recently, the government launched a new programme to eradicate underground debt, at the same time encouraging borrowers with underground debt to refinance their obligations. Would-be participants were invited to register at the Government Savings Bank from December 1st until 30th, 2009, at which time the Chief Control Department will filter the debt types and distribute each debtor to a government bank determined to be responsible for them. Six government banks will participate in the programme; the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), the Government Saving Bank, the SME Bank, the Islamic Bank of Thailand, the Krung Thai Bank and the Government Housing Bank.

Is the NGV Bus Project a Form of Exploitation?

The purpose of the NGV bus rental project of the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) is to reduce the operational losses of the BMTA, which have presently accumulated to more than 70 billion baht in total. The Minister of Transport also claims that steeply increasing diesel fuel prices will aggravate BMTA’s losses, to the tune of 140 billion baht in the next ten years. However, according to the Minister, replacing diesel buses with NGV buses will lower costs, and reduce accumulated losses for BMTA by 50 percent in the next ten years.

Compensating those affected by the demonstration

A short while ago, various private sector groups came forward to predict the sum of damages inflicted economically by the Ratchaprasong seizure of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), which from April 3rd until now has accrued to 5,244 million baht per month or 174 million baht per day. Besides the closure of hotels, large-scale malls, and smaller stores, many workers went unemployed as day wore onto day.

Structural Analysis of Social Entrepreneurship in Thailand (1) : Hindrances to Becoming a Social Entrepreneur

Having written and spoken much in the past on the conceptual and practical aspects of social entrepreneurship, I now find people more interested in this topic, realizing that sole reliance on the government to solve social problems is slow and incomplete.

We must think beyond “hospitality”

The upcoming ASEAN Summit will not only prove the Thai government’s capacity to impress our guests; but will also be proof of our government’s readiness to drive Thailand as the leader of ASEAN, and as a leader in the world arena.

Economic Decoupling (2): Statistics

Last time, I mentioned Economic Decoupling, which suggests that Thailand’s economic growth does not necessarily depend on the US economy. In this article I will point to some statistics that corroborate this theory.

Economic Decoupling (1): Concept

From the Subprime crisis to Lehman’s bankruptcy, economic instability has triggered apprehension as to its possible effect on Thailand’s economy.

The Economic Policies of Political Parties Reflect the Vision of Political Leaders

Thailand is a small country in terms of the world economy, though globalisation compels Thailand to become aware of its need to participate in worldwide systems. Thailand’s economy makes this essential considering the fluctuation and impact of evolving economic situations, as well as the policies of trade-partner countries that must be faced.

Sustaining mental health in times of crisis

It is interesting to note that economic growth can cause stress for people in that economy, as we see from increasing numbers of people in our day who suffer from mental disorders in spite of economic prosperity.

Deposit Protection Agencies: What Will Their Impact Be?

The Deposit Protection Agency Act, 2008, went into effect on the 11th of August 2008. Sound in principle, it requires depositors to know the true risk of a deposit, and helps to reduce depositors’ fear where financial institutions have problems or the government is burdened to support financial institutions, identifying specific amounts of money to be paid back to depositors. Nevertheless, it may also bring change and impact in both positive and negative ways.

Should the government seek foreign loans?

According to a recent cabinet decision, the Thai government will seek foreign loans to the tune of 2,000 million USD, including 1,000 million USD on loan from the World Bank, 500 million USD from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and 500 million USD from JICA.

Thailand’s Fiscal Sustainability Framework Appeases or Aggravates the Crisis?

The Thai cabinet resolution made on April 21st 2009, for government budget expenditure to be cut by 200 billion Baht in 2010, from a previous budget figure of 1.9 trillion Baht to a new sum of 1.7 trillion Baht, will reduce government expenditure by 1.835 trillion Baht in 2010 from its budget for 2009. The government explanation is that unless expenditure is cut, the more public debt must be borrowed, but that this will violate the Public Debt Management Act, BE 2548.

Thailand’s Economic Direction in 2010

Prof.Kriengsak Chareonwongsak
Senior Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School , Harvard University
kriengsak@kriengsak.com, www.kriengsak.com

          2010 has begun, and after analysis by many, I will now express my opinion on Thailand’s economy outlook for 2010, as follows.

Economic and Social Reformation to Crisis

Dr Kriengsak Chareonwongsak
Senior Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School , Harvard University
kriengsak@kriengsak.com, www.kriengsak.com

          In June 2010, Capital Market Academy (CMA) hosted a seminar on the topic of, “Thailand Turning Point: Economic and Social Reformation Strategies to Overcome Political Crisis.” I was called to moderate this Capital Market Academy (CMA) seminar event between student representatives from CMA’s 1st – 10th Class Top Executive Programme, who were all there to express their views.

Stakeholders' Matrix for National Reformation

Dr Kriengsak Chareonwongsak
Senior Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School , Harvard University
kriengsak@kriengsak.com, http://www.kriengsak.com/

          On June 10th 2010, Prime Minister HE Mr Abhisit Vejjajiva, officially advanced Thailand’s National Reformation Plan by appointing Former Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun to lead the Assembly for the Adoption of Strategies for National Reform, with Professor Dr Prawase Wasi leading the Citizens’ Assembly for National Reform. However, before the National Reformation Plan swings underway in January 2011, opinions from stakeholders nationwide are being gathered to solve the nation’s problems. I also have suggestions for the composition of these two Assemblies in order to make long term maximization of the National Reformation Plan for all Thais.

The Budget Allocation for 2011

Prof.Kriengsak Chareonwongsak
kriengsak@kriengsak.com, http://www.kriengsak.com/

          Not so long ago, the prime minister announced to parliament that the annual government expenditure for 2011 would be 2.07 trillion baht with a budget deficit of 420,000 million baht or 4.1% (percent) of GDP. The 2011 annual budget has increased by 370,000 million baht 21.8% (percent) of 2010’s annual budget. After this announcement, the opposition party debated the opinion that many facets should be investigated in the government’s allocation of the 2011 budget.