It is time for the public and private sectors and non-governmental organisations to meet to promote better understanding now that problems plaguing the country have eased, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Thursday.
Gen Prayut said in his speech at Government House outlining the government's achievements in the two years since the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) took over the country's administration in the May 22, 2014 coup.
He also explained the government's 20-year national strategy.
Gen Prayut said that in the past the country had been in a state of chaos and its administration in disarray. Natural resources had been exploited by only a handful of people, leading to political problems and violent conflict.
"Now, smiles have begun to return to the faces of the Thai people after having long been in awkwardness. What the government wants to see today is for the public and private sectors, as well as non-governmental organisations, to meet to promote better understanding after the country has been plagued with problems for the past ten years. The situation has now improved," Gen Prayut said.
The problems of political violence and corruption were linked to the fact that the people did not follow His Majesty the King's economic sufficiency philosophy.
When his government stepped in there were problems both inside the country and abroad, Gen Pprayut said.
At the same time there were political conflicts and other problems in this country, there were problems with terrorism in other countries. The United States, Japan and countries in the eurozone were facing an economic slump.
Because of such problems, the country was in need of reforms. The government had laid down short-, medium- and long-term measures to solve the problems. It was now the period for implementing the short-term measures, he said.
"During the past two years, the governement has administered the country amid both internal and external problems. Despite difficulties, we have made achievements. We have listened to the voices of other countries. The risk of political instability has eased. Unrest in the three southern border provinces has declined. Drug-related cases have dropped.
"Our transparency ranking has jumped up 30 steps. Our economy has continued to expand. Thailand's investment worthiness ranking has been raised by the United Nations. Thailand is the least miserable country in a happiness ranking. Foreign media have ranked Thailand the world's 4th in terms of tourism and investment potential," said Gen Prayut.
The prime minister said the government must move forward to implement the Thailand 4.0 policy as well as to prepare the country to better cope with the changing world situation, dangers from transnational crime and epidemics.
After Gen Prayut, the six deputy prime ministers took turns to explain their work and responsibilities: Gen Prawit Songsuwon on security affairs; Gen Tanasak Patimapagorn on tourism and sports; Adm Narong Pipatanasai on social affairs; ACM Prajin Juntong on education; Wissanu Krea-ngam on legal affairs; and, Somkid Jatisripitak on economic affairs.