Baht Appreciates into the high 34s

[Gaybutton]

The baht has appreciated once again and as of noon today the exchange rates are as follows:

 

US dollar: 34.91

 

Euro: 45.925

 

British Pound: 67.21

 

Australian dollar: 27.1025

 

Canadian dollar: 29.5325

[Guest BKKvisitor]

The cause of the appreciating baht is the influx of foreign investment which is primarily a function of Thailand's low labor costs. And most of what Thailand produces (for international consumption) requires unskilled labor whose wages are unlikely to grow at the same pace prices will rise. Unlike many of the other Asian tiger economies, Thailand isn't making any high-tech gadgets or positioning itself as a center of financial services.

 

While the appreciating baht will cause many visitors to rethink how often and how long they stay on future trips to the LOS, it's Thailand's undereducated work force that will fare the worse. They lack the skills that they need to move up to a better life and are destined to spend a lifetime making foreign investors (and the Thai elite who depend upon them) wealthy.

 

As for where the baht will settle by year's end, I suspect it will settle in a range of $33 to $35. Anything below that will be particularly bad for exporters. Indeed, it has already taken its toll on some of the smaller players.

[Gaybutton]

As of 10:30 AM, Thursday, the Ides of March, the exchange rates are as follows:

 

US dollar: 34.82

 

Euro: 45.935

 

British Pound: 67.275

 

Australian dollar: 27.1975

 

Canadian dollar: 29.4775