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A recent survey indicated that more Japanese enterprises now anticipate a downturn in the domestic economy in Thailand in 2014. At a time when antigovernment protests have been made for a while now in the Southeast Asian nation, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Bangkok conducted the impromptu survey from April 9 to April 22 among its member companies. A report on answers given by 474 respondents—of which manufacturers accounted for 58% and non-manufacturers, the balance of 42%—revealed that 59% fear the Thai economy will grow worse this year than 2013, which increased eight percentage points from the previous survey held in February. During the last survey, JCC Bangkok members foreseeing a deterioration in the local economy amounted to 51%.
When questioned what they think is the most powerful factor affecting the domestic economy in Thailand, 55% of the respondents pointed out local political situations. When asked what the greatest concern for their businesses is, 40% indicated prolonged antigovernment demonstrations, which held a larger share than those giving any other answer. Also, 55% were afraid that it is their business performances that will be impacted most by the ongoing protests.
When asked how much sales and other aspects of their business operations have been damaged by the antigovernment demonstrations, 43% of the 474 respondents said that they have suffered slight negative effects, but 38% claimed that they have incurred not adverse impacts at all. As for future investments from Japan in Thailand, views were divided between optimism and pessimism, as 55% foresee that the situation will remain unchanged, but 43% think that the number of investments will decrease.
A recent survey indicated that more Japanese enterprises now anticipate a downturn in the domestic economy in Thailand in 2014. At a time when antigovernment protests have been made for a while now in the Southeast Asian nation, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Bangkok conducted the impromptu survey from April 9 to April 22 among its member companies. A report on answers given by 474 respondents—of which manufacturers accounted for 58% and non-manufacturers, the balance of 42%—revealed that 59% fear the Thai economy will grow worse this year than 2013, which increased eight percentage points from the previous survey held in February. During the last survey, JCC Bangkok members foreseeing a deterioration in the local economy amounted to 51%.
When questioned what they think is the most powerful factor affecting the domestic economy in Thailand, 55% of the respondents pointed out local political situations. When asked what the greatest concern for their businesses is, 40% indicated prolonged antigovernment demonstrations, which held a larger share than those giving any other answer. Also, 55% were afraid that it is their business performances that will be impacted most by the ongoing protests.
When asked how much sales and other aspects of their business operations have been damaged by the antigovernment demonstrations, 43% of the 474 respondents said that they have suffered slight negative effects, but 38% claimed that they have incurred not adverse impacts at all. As for future investments from Japan in Thailand, views were divided between optimism and pessimism, as 55% foresee that the situation will remain unchanged, but 43% think that the number of investments will decrease.
