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

More Uncertainty over Mooted Elections in Feb 19

Thailand: Sanguine Growth Prospects to Compel Tighter Monetary Policy

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

Smooth-Sailing Economy Could Be Entering Perfect Political Storm

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

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<p>Centennial Asia Advisors visited Thailand 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><p>In Part Two of this two-part assessment of Thailand, we focus on the political outlook of the country. In short, we find that:</p><ul><li>A political reckoning is brewing as the deadline for elections looms. After four years of military rule, equivalent to a full parliamentary term, the populace wants a return to civilian government and any effort by the military government to delay could be risky.</li><li>Current Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-o-cha could be positioning himself to remain in power post-election. The way the new Constitution is set up means that the government will be a fragmented one, with the risk that it ends up performing in mediocre fashion, constantly struggling to govern effectively.</li></ul>

Centennial Asia Advisors visited Thailand 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.In Part Two of this two-part assessment of Thailand, we focus on the political outlook of the country. In short, we find that:A political reckoning is brewing as the deadline for elections looms. After four years of military rule, equivalent to a full parliamentary term, the populace wants a return to civilian government and any effort by the military government to delay could be risky.Current Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-o-cha could be positioning himself to remain in power post-election. The way the new Constitution is set up means that the government will be a fragmented one, with the risk that it ends up performing in mediocre fashion, constantly struggling to govern effectively.

Thailand: Political Reckoning on the Cards