Thailand to return Agriculture

[Lancelot]

"Thailand's economy is in a transition stage where the agricultural sector will eventually replace the industrial sector as its main driver, according to M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakula.
The former finance minister and ex-Bank of Thailand governor said at a dinner hosted by the International Chamber of Commerce on Thursday that the change in Thai economy will become clearer over the next four to five years when more economic value will be generated by the farm sector than the industrial sector."

Bangkok Post, July 26, 2008

Bangkok Post | General news | Pridiyathorn: Agriculturalsector set to drive growth

Maybe a big "Reverse migration" from The Big Smoke (Bangkok) back to the rice paddys of Issan?!?

Naaa, I'm sceptical

[Delawaredave5]

This is interesting. Nations should focus on activities where they have "comparative advantage". Thailand's probably smart focusing on ag - and lately that's a "growth" industry".....

[bright eyed]

will be interesting to see how they convince younger generations to jump into that labor market...

[Lancelot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bright eyed will be interesting to see how they convince younger generations to jump into that labor market...

Ageed. Personally, I don't see (agriculture) wages rising to the level that will attract Thais back to the countryside.

Attracting poor Burmese and Cambodian immigrants, well, thats another story

[unclemick]

Two words: Kansas and Japan.

Ag can get pretty mechanized and capital(in contrast to labor) intensive.

?where does Thailand sit in the cycle to modernize farming?

heh heh heh -

[AbbyNormal]

T

Quote:

wo words: Kansas and Japan. Ag can get pretty mechanized and capital(in contrast to labor) intensive. ?where does Thailand sit in the cycle to modernize farming?

Well, we only got rid of the buffalo a few years ago – if that tells you anything.

Abby

[CitricAcid]

With prices going the way they are now, it only makes sense for some of the workers in the country to try to capitalize on the prices.