NESDC chief calls for major reforms

Main obstacle is lack of intent

- WICHIT CHANTANUSORNSIRI

Thailand must take economic restructuring efforts more seriously for the country to move forward, says Danucha Pichayanan, secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), who has overseen the country’s economic and social policy for five years.

Mr Danucha is scheduled to leave his post and become secretary-general of the Office of National Water Resources in early October.

“If Thailand wants to break out of the cycle of low economic growth, it must accelerate the restructuring of both the industrial and agricultural sectors,” he said.

The products Thailand manufactures are mostly conventional goods, and more research and technological development is needed to create higher-quality products that have demand, said Mr Danucha.

In agriculture, where most products are still sold as commodities, Thailand can move up the value chain to develop a stronger food industry, he said.