VOA标准英语2008年-Political Tensions Put Thai Economy Under Press

Thailand's heightened political tensions have sent a shudder¹ through the economy, hitting the share market and the tourism industry. As Ron Corben reports from Bangkok, industry groups have called on Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to end the state of emergency to avoid further damage to the economy.

The Thai Chamber² of Commerce and the Board of Trade say the state of emergency imposed this week sends the wrong message to the international business community.
　
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej gestures during a news conference on imposing³ of the state of emergency in Bangkok, 02 Sep 2008

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej issued the decree after pro- and anti-governemnt protesters clashed on Tuesday, leaving one person dead and many others injured. He said Friday he is considering lifting the decree soon.

Some business leaders have called on Mr. Samak to comply with the protesters' demand that he resign. But Thursday, Mr Samak said he would stay on, "for the sake of democracy".

Chulalongkorn University economist⁴, Sompop Manarangsan, says the outlook is grim, especially given the global economic downturn, which hurts demand for Thai exports.

"I think it's going to be more serious now because now Thailand is not only facing the internal problem, but also having to face the challenge of the global trend of recession," he said.
　
An anti-government protester stands guard outside Government House in Bangkok, 05 Sep 2008

The People's Alliance for Democracy began protests earlier this year criticizing the government over steps to alter the constitution. Thousands of PAD protestors are now encamped in the compound of the government's main administration building.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand says $45 billion in share value has been wiped off the market this year due to the political uncertainty⁵. Foreign investors⁶ have dumped more than $3 billion worth of shares.

The tourism industry is suffering, as several countries have warned their citizens to avoid visits to Thailand because of fears of more violence.

Tourism contributes six percent of gross domestic product, with earnings⁷ in 2008 expected at over $17 billion.

Tourism groups say arrivals at Bangkok international airport are down 30 percent in recent days, costing around $11 million a day in lost revenue.

John Koldowski, a spokesman for the Pacific Asia Travel Association, says part of the problem is that protests have closed airports and disrupted flights.

"That [the closures] would leave a bitter taste in the mouth of those directly affected," he said. "And that would spread around the globe pretty quickly as connected as we are - so yes that would be a negative perception."

Anusorn Buranakanonda, the managing director of investment firm, BT Asset Management, says experienced investors will see the political uncertainty as a test of Thailand's ability to overcome short-term problems.

"This is not the first time that Thai society has faced some political problems but in the past few years," he said. "Society has managed to overcome the problems - putting the problem behind and moving on - this crisis I hope will be very much the same."

Thailand's economy expanded by 5.7 percent in the first half of the year despite slower world growth.

The central bank says the growing political tensions will cut growth for the second half of the year, but says the damage should be short-term.

 

1 shudder   

v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动

参考例句：

• The sight of the coffin sent a shudder through him.看到那副棺材，他浑身一阵战栗。
• We all shudder at the thought of the dreadful dirty place.我们一想到那可怕的肮脏地方就浑身战惊。

2 chamber   

n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所

参考例句：

• For many,the dentist's surgery remains a torture chamber.对许多人来说，牙医的治疗室一直是间受刑室。
• The chamber was ablaze with light.会议厅里灯火辉煌。

3 imposing   

adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的

参考例句：

• The fortress is an imposing building.这座城堡是一座宏伟的建筑。
• He has lost his imposing appearance.他已失去堂堂仪表。

4 economist   

n.经济学家，经济专家，节俭的人

参考例句：

• He cast a professional economist's eyes on the problem.他以经济学行家的眼光审视这个问题。
• He's an economist who thinks he knows all the answers.他是个经济学家，自以为什么都懂。

5 uncertainty   

n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物

参考例句：

• Her comments will add to the uncertainty of the situation.她的批评将会使局势更加不稳定。
• After six weeks of uncertainty,the strain was beginning to take its toll.6个星期的忐忑不安后，压力开始产生影响了。

6 investors   

n.投资者，出资者( investor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a con man who bilked investors out of millions of dollars 诈取投资者几百万元的骗子
• a cash bonanza for investors 投资者的赚钱机会

7 earnings   

n.工资收人；利润，利益，所得

参考例句：

• That old man lives on the earnings of his daughter.那个老人靠他女儿的收入维持生活。
• Last year there was a 20% decrease in his earnings.去年他的收入减少了20%。