As Thailand prepares for elections, foreign banks are looking around for openings in a market with room for growth. Simon Montlake reports from Bangkok.

Chalongphob Sussangkarn took over as Thailand’s minister of finance in March, following the resignation of his predecessor Pridiyathorn Devakula. A former president of independent economic think-tank the Thailand Development Research Institute, he is a key player in the interim government that was installed last year after a military coup. He spoke to Simon Montlake in Bangkok.

Thailand seemed to be ushering in a golden age of financial security, until high-level political scandal and terrorist attacks sent its fragile economy crashing back down to earth. Simon Montlake reports.

Kosit Panpiemras, deputy prime minister of Thailand, talks to The Banker about the interim government’s plans.

A measured optimism is taking hold in the post-coup environment, as bankers expect new regulations and heightened competition. Simon Montlake reports from Bangkok.

Dr Thaksin Shinawatra, caretaker prime minister of Thailand, explains his government’s new development paradigm that sees its staple industries of tourism and agribusiness in the rural and urban areas growing together while at the same time diversifying, and focusing on creating value.

Thailand’s banks are riding out the political uncertainty left by the departure of prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Simon Montlake reports from Bangkok.

Thailand’s central bank governor Pridiyathorn Devakula is The Banker’s central bank governor of the year in Asia for 2006. Here he talks to Brian Caplen about the challenges facing his country.

Thailand is reinforcing its recovery from crisis with an overhaul of its capital markets and a programme of liberalisation. Brian Caplen explains.

The Siam Commercial Bank
Khunying Jada Wattanasiritham, President