Asia Economist and CEO, Centennial Asia Advisors

Manu Bhaskaran

Mr. Bhaskaran is a leading Asian economist based in Singapore with more than 30 years of experience in studying economic, political and security issues that shape the business environment in Asia. He co-ordinates the Asian business of Washington DC-based strategic advisory firm, Centennial Group, directing its Asian economic research practice which provides in-depth analysis of macro trends in Asia. He works extensively with investment institutions, government agencies and corporations. Mr. Bhaskaran regularly presents his views on the economic, political and business environment in Asia at business conferences and in-house briefings. He has conducted studies on a wide range of subjects including: consumer finance in Asia; Asian integration; regional and country-specific political and economic outlooks; the Impact of China on Asia; portfolio capital flows in emerging markets, amongst many others. He is as a member of the Regional Advisory Group for Asia and the Pacific of the International Monetary Fund. Mr. Bhaskaran is a regular columnist for The Edge (Singapore) and holds positions in think tanks including being Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS); Vice President of the Economics Society of Singapore, and Council Member of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA). Mr. Bhaskaran serves on the boards of CIMB Investment Bank and Japfa Limited.

Asia Economist and CEO

Thailand: Political Reckoning on the Cards

More Uncertainty over Mooted Elections in Feb 19

Smooth-Sailing Economy Could Be Entering Perfect Political Storm

Thailand: Policy to Remain Accommodative in Light of Weak Spots

Centennial Asia Advisors

At Centennial Asia Advisors, we tell it like it is. We have no vested interests, no need for a China wall, and no reason to skew our outlook any other way. With over 30 years experience covering Asia’s political economy, you can be sure our conclusions and analyses are based on the unadulterated facts. Through years of fine-tuning our research methodologies, we deliver a quality of macroeconomic analysis few other houses can match.

Centennial Asia Advisors is an independent research and advisory firm that works with governments, multilateral institutions, financial firms and leading MNCs.

Economic Policy and Strategic Advisors

Macroeconomics

<p>Centennial Asia Advisors visited Bangkok, Thailand for a research trip in early-June and spoke with government policymakers, private-sector economists, academics and businesspeople to get a finger-on-the-pulse feel for the economy.</p><ul><li>First, the economy is registering good growth figures on the back of resurgent exports and exuberant tourism, in addition to ramped-up public investment. However, going beyond the headline GDP number reveals that economic growth may not have trickled down, with large swathes of Thais not experiencing the benefits of the expansion.</li></ul><ul><li>Second, over the longer term, the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), designed as the flagship project and the spearhead of the Thailand 4.0 development initiative, will be a powerful growth engine. With the EEC Act passed into law, investment into the EEC region will likely rise at a rapid clip. Potential stumbling blocks, however, include opacity of the political outlook as well as a dearth of human capital suited to the ten targeted, next-generation industries promoted by the EEC. Thailand is also grappling with the perennial issue of ageing demographics which could crimp potential growth going forward.</li></ul><p>In Part Two of this two-part assessment of Thailand, we cover the political stresses and potential developments.</p>

Centennial Asia Advisors visited Bangkok, Thailand for a research trip in early-June and spoke with government policymakers, private-sector economists, academics and businesspeople to get a finger-on-the-pulse feel for the economy.First, the economy is registering good growth figures on the back of resurgent exports and exuberant tourism, in addition to ramped-up public investment. However, going beyond the headline GDP number reveals that economic growth may not have trickled down, with large swathes of Thais not experiencing the benefits of the expansion.Second, over the longer term, the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), designed as the flagship project and the spearhead of the Thailand 4.0 development initiative, will be a powerful growth engine. With the EEC Act passed into law, investment into the EEC region will likely rise at a rapid clip. Potential stumbling blocks, however, include opacity of the political outlook as well as a dearth of human capital suited to the ten targeted, next-generation industries promoted by the EEC. Thailand is also grappling with the perennial issue of ageing demographics which could crimp potential growth going forward.In Part Two of this two-part assessment of Thailand, we cover the political stresses and potential developments.

Thailand: Economy Good but Not Great; EEC to Be Powerful Industrial Engine for Long Term (Part 1)