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WICHIT CHANTANUSORNSIRI
Thailand's young people should be given the opportunity to help set the country's vision for its development over the next 20 years, according to Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee.
''We should give a chance for our children to express what they want their own future to be, and how they want the country to develop,'' he said yesterday.
Dr Surapong, who met with directors of the National Economic and Social Development Board yesterday, said that while the country was facing numerous immediate problems, authorities also needed to give focus to long-term development.
''Of course, no one can see into the future. But one thing is certain _ we need to develop our people, whether it be in terms of knowledge, understanding or morals,'' Dr Surapong said.
The NESDB is responsible for setting development strategies and reviewing public investment projects to ensure compliance with the country's long-term needs.
The planning agency traditionally sets its social and economic development plans based on a five-year cycle. Directors met yesterday to discuss development goals over the next two decades.
Ampon Kitti-ampon, the NESDB secretary-general, said a number of factors would complicate the country's development strategies over the next 20 years, including the global trend towards regional trade blocs and the rise of China and India as new economic superpowers.
Globalisation and the rapid shifts in capital across markets would remain a challenge to small, emerging markets such as Thailand, while the aging population would increase pressure on family units and social safety nets.
Mr Ampon said rapid changes in technology, the increase in energy use and global warming are other trends that would have a significant impact on the country's development. He said that Thailand continued to enjoy a competitive advantage in the agricultural sector, but that more effort was needed to increase revenues from the services sector.
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