Thus far Thailand’s stock market has been relatively resilient amid bouts of global market volatility following the United Kingdom’s recent decision to leave the European Union (EU). We believe the economic impact of the so-called Brexit is likely to be relatively light for countries in Southeast Asia in general. While the British people’s decision to leave the EU has sparked fears of a rise in discontent with government and policy in other countries, including Thailand, discontent can be constructive if it results in positive economic and social reforms. It’s our view that Thailand’s long-term economic and investment potential remains bright for many reasons, and once the shock of Brexit starts to wear off, investors should recognize the unique differences among individual emerging markets. I recently had the opportunity to visit Thailand. Here, I share my on-the-ground perspective on the country. I am used to frequent traffic jams in major Asian cities, but in Thailand’s largest city, the “rush hour” seems to be a 24-hour affair. I arrived in Bangkok late at night on the weekend and was immediately confronted with crowded and congested roads. After a rest, I decided to spin my own wheels via a more serene bicycle tour through parts of Bangkok and other nearby towns and cities. I’ve found cycling to be an ideal way to see and experience a country; it’s slower than a motorcycle or car and just the right pace to see what’s happening and talk to people along the route. I had once lived in Bangkok, so I had a good idea of the city’s layout, but this latest trip gave me an opportunity to see how the area had changed. My fitness-minded colleagues and I decided to start our journey in Bangkok’s Chinatown (also known as “Yaowarat”), which has encompassed the heart of the city’s entrepreneurial spirit. Bangkok’s Chinatown dates back to 1782, when Chinese came to settle in Thailand during the reign of King Rama I. As Bangkok became a major trading center, its Chinatown continued to thrive. On my recent visit, the area was packed with street vendors and shops offering everything under the sun, including clothing, jewelry, fruits, meat, vegetables, toys— you name it and they have it! For 50 baht (US$1.50), I purchased a silver ring in the shape of Hanuman, the mythic monkey god in the Hindu Ramayana epic. Since Thailand’s population is overwhelmingly Buddhist, I didn’t expect to see Hindu gods, but the idea of respect for all religions comes to the fore as we also cycled past a Muslim mosque and a Christian church. In the various temples and monuments dedicated to Buddha, there were stuccoes of Chinese warrior gods protecting the gates in addition to statues of soldiers with Portuguese and British faces and uniforms, as well as motifs with French influence (the Fleur de Lis) and Indian influences. Having been a trading port for centuries, Thai society has been influenced by cultures far and wide. Respect is reflected in this and many other ways—respect for Buddha, respect for the king and respect for others by showing “wai,” which involves putting both palms together in front of your face. This is the common greeting instead of shaking hands. Every time I visit Thailand, the words love, respect and freedom come to mind. It is rather paradoxical that we can describe Thailand as embodying freedom when a military government is currently in place there, while at the same time there remains so much reverence and love for the king. The name “Thailand” in the Thai language is “Muang Thai,” which means free capital or free country. Thailand is also called “Land of Smiles,” and you just need to travel around the country to understand why; everywhere you go people easily break into smiles. It is also no surprise that tourists from all over the world flock to the country because of its warm people, warm weather and many cultural attractions. Inculcated in the minds of children since early age is the idea of kindness and love. This training is beautifully expressed in the custom that many Thai males undergo—becoming a monk during some period of their life after age 20. This means shaving one’s head, donning yellow robes and going barefoot. The monks live in a temple together, sleep on thin cushions on the floor (one of the 227 rules for monks) and engage in the strictest of routines. The monks rise at sunrise, walking the street with brass bowls, accepting food from the people. The monks offer favor to the people who, through their gifts to the monks, can receive blessings. The monks then return to have their morning meal. After 12 noon, no more food is consumed, and the rest of the day is spent in meditation and chanting. Even Thai Buddhist men of the highest rank follow this custom, including the king. There are pictures of King Bhumibol Adulyadej as a monk, accepting food from common people and kneeling before the patriarch monk. These rituals and customs always impressed me. Many years ago, I got lost late at night wandering around Bangkok. When I wandered into a temple, a monk greeted me. Although his English was minimal and my Thai language skills were non-existent, he was able to communicate an invitation for me to stay the night in the temple. He escorted me to a clean wooden floor with a bamboo mat, where I had a very peaceful sleep in the serene atmosphere of the temple grounds. Cycling around Bangkok brought back many fond memories of my time living there in the 1960s. I remember my stay in a wooden house on Soi Sawadee (Road Hello) with no need for air conditioning despite the tropical climate; the dark teakwood floor and walls had spaces between the boards to allow a breeze to come through, which would be carried up through the tall ceilings. I was quite content to lay in bed and watch the little gecko lizards walking upside down on the ceiling. They kept the place free of flies, their main diet. Cultural and Commercial Attractions During our present-day cycling trip, we...
Investment Adventures in Emerging Markets - Notes from Mark Mobius
Mark Mobius, Ph.D., executive chairman of Templeton Emerging Markets Group, joined Templeton in 1987. Currently, he directs the Templeton research team based in 15 global emerging markets offices and manages emerging markets portfolios. As he spans the globe in search of investment opportunities, his “Investment Adventures in Emerging Markets” blog gives readers a taste for what he does, when, where, why and how. Dr. Mobius has written several books, including “Trading with China,” “The Investor’s Guide to Emerging Markets,” “Mobius on Emerging Markets,” “Passport to Profits,” “Equities—An Introduction to the Core Concepts,” “Mutual Funds—An Introduction to the Core Concepts,” ”The Little Book of Emerging Markets,” and “Mark Mobius: An Illustrated Biography."
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