Satit Wonghnongtaey “Govt to revive economy further”

BANGKOK, 26 May 2009 (NNT) – Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office Satit Wonghnongtaey admitted the negative economic figures, saying that the Government would pursue its plans to recover the economy and elucidate the issue to the public accordingly.

Recently, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Thailand was reported to be as low as minus 7.1 percent, and the Government has been receiving criticisms that the negative figure was resulted from inefficient operation of the Government.

Upon the criticisms, Mr Satit said that the Government had duties to report the fact without concealing any facts. He said the figures had already indicated what the Government had to do, stressing that the Government always attached priority to the economic problems and people’s living condition.

Asked how the Government would handle the economy in the coming third quarter since it would be a good time for the opposition to assail the Government, Mr. Satit said the Government was prompt with mainly two things. The first one was preparations of all measures to mitigate economic crisis, including 16 measures coming from the economic stimulus budget. The second one was the elucidation on the issues to be made public.

The Minister said all measures would be evaluated for the progress and how people had been receiving benefits from each measure. The result would be submitted to the Government on 28 June 2009. Then, the National Economic and Social Development Board Office would report to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on 29 June 2009 for further elucidation to be made to the public accordingly.