Rescuing the Thai Economy: Plan of action

Thursday 15 January 2009, Centara Grand Hotal, Central Grand

The policies have been announced. Now is the time to find out details of the new government's Plan of Action to reinvigorate the sagging Thai economy amidst the current global recession.

Listen to the details derectly from Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his team of economic ministers at the Post Forum 2009 organised by the Bangkok Post, Post Today and Business Radio FM 98.

PM defends stimulus plan

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva used the Post Forum stage to defend his government's stimulus package, saying that the projects have targeted the right groups and that they are intended to boost economy from the first quarter of this year onwards.

Mr Abhisit defended one of the most criticised projects -- the scheme to grant a one-off 2,000-baht allowance to eight million employees under the Social Security Fund and 1.4 million civil servants making less than 15,000 baht per month.

"We want to help employees with the low income," he said. "What we do is to give cash into their hands to induce spending by injecting cash into the economy. This would help the economy in the first, second and third quarters."

The premier also said that the government is emphasised on boosting Thailand's tourism.

Next week, the government will propose measures aimed at stimulating tourism, including the waives of visa fees for tourists for three months.

He then vowed to continue mega-projects including the construction of electric train and dual rail projects.

"I am not going to boast by committing how much the economy will grow, but I can assure you that the government is committing to to spur economy and to lift the quality of life of all the Thais," he said.

-- Back to first page --