Parties tout economic policy for poll

Parties tout economic policy for poll

Abhisit decries old 'tax and spend' approach

Major parties are touting policies to improve the livelihoods of low-income people in the countdown to February's election.

The Pheu Thai Party claimed their economic policies will contribute to faster but stable economic growth, while the Democrats said their policies also aim to help the poor by tackling both private and public monopolies.

During a discussion on Thailand's political roadmap at Thailand Focus 2018, a seminar organised by the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), key Pheu Thai figure Chaturon Chaisang, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, and Bhumjaithai's key man, Anutin Charnvirakul, were invited to share their parties' tentative policies for the election.

Mr Chaturon said Pheu Thai will emphasise economic policies that will make Thailand grow sustainably at a faster pace, adding that his party, if elected, aims to gear Thailand toward GDP growth 7% from the current 4.6% in the long term.

He did not spell out in detail how the party aims to achieve this, though at this early stage in the countdown to the poll, few have been willing to get too explicit about their plans.

Former prime minister, Mr Abhisit, said the country needs a shift in economic management as growth engineered by the government and the traditional method of taxing and spending cannot improve the livelihoods of people. His party, he said, will help spread distribution and ensure that growth is also beneficial to the poor.

The three heavyweight politicians agreed all parties are being held back by the political ban imposed by the government.

They urged the government to lift the ban on campaigning and other curbs to ensure free and fair elections. "Political parties need to call on the government to abolish any prohibition so parties can do what they need to do," said Mr Chaturon.

He added the current system is designed to weaken existing parties, preventing them from formulating policies by not allowing them to arrange meetings.

This would make policy and elections less meaningful since there will be no interaction between the people and electorates. "To formulate policy, we need to talk to people especially 7 million new voters who have never voted," he said.

Mr Abhisit, on the other hand, said even though they are prohibited by the law, they still need to come up with methods that will enable them to prepare a good set of policies for the country, adding he has been actively engaging with everyone to understand their needs and learn about their problems.

He said his party is focusing on tackling an outdated legal system and laws, and re-engaging Thailand with the rest of the world as well as deciding on an agenda that will serve Thailand and Asean best as Thailand becomes Asean's chair next year.

Meanwhile, Mr Abhisit and Mr Chaturon agreed the charter needs to be amended. Mr Abhisit, however, suggested setting up a panel bringing together all parties to agree on the principles for the changes needed.

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