Thailand's new government

We hope the new government in Thailand will be able to tackle the massive problems facing the country. The thinking is the country needs to inspire confidence, especially among foreign investors. Thailand's ruling Democrats have conceded defeat to the Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais) party, led by tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra.

As close neighbors, we are naturally concerned with adverse developments in Thailand. Anything bad which takes place there will affect others in the region. Conversely, what is good for Thailand is good for us in the region. There is basis for our worry. The Philippines is battling with its own problems and so is Indonesia. And if Thailand does not get its act together, the repercussions for us and other neighbors could be serious.

Foreign investors look at the region as a whole. It is a reality we have to accept. Nobody wants to put his money in a place which is beset with difficulties. We cannot afford to go the way we did three years ago, when we were hit by the Asian financial crisis.

-- The New Straits Times, Kuala Lumpur