PM assigns weekly Cabinet meeting on economy

BANGKOK, 21 June 2010 (NNT) — The Cabinet meeting on the Thai economy will be held every week, as assigned by the Thai premier, according to Ampon Kittiampon, secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB).

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is putting an emphasis on expediting and monitoring the progress of government measures implemented to stimulate the economy.

According to Mr Ampon, the Thai premier also voiced his concern on drought problems, citing that insufficient water will affect the seasonal and off-season rice production next year. The progress on alleviating drought problems will be presented to Mr Abhisit at the meeting next week. In addition, the prime minister has also assigned the monitoring of finances, investments from the private and public sectors, the external economic crisis, tourism, government reimbursement, GDP rate and its targeted growth of 6%.

Regarding the government’s relief measures to assist low-income earners, the free bus ride measure that will expire on 30 June 2010 is expected to receive a six-month extension. This is speculated to help solve the rising inflation in the second half of the year. Free electricity bills on the other hand is not expected to be extended, according to Mr Ampon.