The poor in Thailand are getting poorer, while the rich are getting richer due to the government’s policy approach to welfare and social enterprise, according to academics who presented papers at a seminar on civil state policy held at Thammasat University on Saturday. Thailand’s economic growth is expected to have cooled slightly in the second quarter, as public and private investment slowed, offsetting some of the boost from stronger exports and tourism. There’s reason to be optimistic as exports post double-digit percentage gains and the end of a yearlong mourning period for King Bhumibol Adulyadej bolsters the outlook for consumption, writes Suttinee Yuvejwattana for Bloomberg.