Thailand: Thais are learning to smile again

Thailand's economy remains mired in recession and the banking sector is still groaning under the volume of bad debts. But the evidence of a turnround is growing. A new bankruptcy law should give banks confidence to extend new loans; foreign banks have injected new capital into the banking system; the best Thai borrowers are finding ways to issue new debt; and, perhaps most important of all, the Thai people's famous optimism is returning. Gill Baker reports.

April Fool’s Day was expected to be a landmark day for Thailand’s embattled business community as the newly designated bankruptcy court came into being in Bangkok. The court was scheduled to open its doors after months of wrangling finally resulted in a revised bankruptcy bill being approved by the country’s House of Representatives.

The new legislation is considered one of the most crucial of 11 new economic reform bills currently going through the Thai parliament and is seen by many investors and bankers as the key to the country’s economic recovery.

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