Green group's Suriyasai picks early election

Green group's Suriyasai picks early election

The government is expected to dissolve the House once the bill to borrow 2 trillion baht to fund infrastructure megaprojects clears parliament, Green Politics group coordinator Suriyasai Katasila says.

Mr Suriyasai said he believed that deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the de facto leader of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, has directed the government to rush the bill through parliament.

The cabinet approved the bill last Tuesday. The measure is expected to be tabled to the House for deliberation on Thursday or Friday.

Mr Suriyasai said the next step is for the government to dissolve the House and call a general election.

The government should tout the megaprojects as its main policy during the campaign to give it more power to implement the plan if it returns to government, he said.

The government has to resort to this tactic partly because its existing policies have failed and because the future of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra remains uncertain, Mr Suriyasai said.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating Ms Yingluck for asset concealment in connection with a loan of 30 million baht she made to a company in which her spouse, Anusorn Amornchat, was a shareholder.

PM's Office Minister Niwatthamrong Bunsongphaisan said the government is ready to explain to the House its decision to borrow the massive sum.

"We organised an exhibition about the bill to inform the public about why the projects are necessary," he said.

Meanwhile, a recent Suan Dusit poll suggested most people agree with the government's infrastructure plan, but by a slim margin.

However, most are concerned corruption could creep into the implementation of the projects, the poll found.

The poll was conducted between Wednesday and yesterday and comprised 1,580 respondents nationwide. Slightly more than 52% of respondents agreed with the infrastructure plan while 48% disagreed.

The proponents said the boost to transport infrastructure could make Thailand an Asean leader and would boost the country's international credibility.

The opponents said the plan is too risky and would involve corruption.

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