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Published on November 21, 2007

To Thais aged 40 or older, mom-and-pop shops were where we went for groceries. Other food we found at fresh markets. Now supermarkets are everywhere, air-conditioned and offering a wide variety of products.

On top of that are superstores, where the variety is even greater - and cheaper.

When we were young, a one-dish meal was popular only for lunch while we went to food shops at night markets. Now, food shops are mushrooming everywhere. On top of that, many are operated by global companies who wield higher bargaining power over suppliers.

Trade agreements now allow easy access to markets for business operators from many other countries. So in the next 20 years, how many Thai companies will remain in the marketplace?

If they cannot operate here, can they migrate overseas?

Where, then?

The answer isn't Japan, the country famous for quality requirements and superb product presentation. The US? No, it's too far. The European Union would entail huge investments due to its strong currency. Some may think about China, but you should pause and digest this information.

China Daily reported on Monday that China, the world's largest country in terms of population, now has more than 5.5 million private enterprises. The figure, calculated at the end of June, was released by the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce. Private enterprises in China are defined as companies in private hands with at least eight employees.

In comparison, there are only 500,000 companies registered in Thailand.

If these Thai companies are to compete with Chinese companies, it is easy to predict who will lose and who will win.

This is why it is so important for Thais to vote for politicians who foresee the tough times ahead for Thai companies and accordingly chart plans to strengthen their presence in the domestic and global markets.

Though the general perception is the new government will be in power for a maximum of two years, it is vital that candidates with vision and firm action seize the power to prepare Thais for a tough future. To me, it seems better than letting the country flow along with the current, without knowing where the river will end.

The irony is that, with populist policies promised by all parties, how can we single out the visionary candidates? It seems they all are.

achara_d@nationgroup.com

The Nation