Govt will not acquire Thaicom if too expensive

BANGKOK, 17 June 2010 (NNT) — Following the government’s highly anticipated moves on acquiring the Thaicom satellite, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has expressed a clear standpoint that the acquisition will not commence if the price of acquiring the business is high.

The Thai premier added that if the if the acquisition commences, the period to do so would be towards the end of the year. The timing would be inappropriate during the time of new elections, Mr Abhisit said. Currently the Thai premier has assigned the Ministry of Finance and Information and Communication Ministry (ICT) to study the matter.

Mr Abhisit has affirmed that the upcoming elections held should be for the good of society. The government has mulled on the election date to be set at the end of this year, but now it is quite difficult, unless the political situation calls for it, Mr Abhisit said.

Regarding matters on revoking the emergency decree, Mr Abhisit has delegated the Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) to review the matter. Regarding the issue of granting amnesty for the anti-government protesters, Mr Abhisit stated that if amnesty is granted, it promotes more wrong-doing.