The Pheu Thai-led government has set out 10 urgent policies to be implemented immediately, including, debt restructuring, formalisation of the informal and underground economy, reduction of energy and utilities charges and modernisation of the agricultural sector.
The other economic and social policies are the “digital wallet” scheme, to stimulate the economy, promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), tourism promotion, addressing illegal narcotics and crime, as well as the promotion of social welfare and development.
The government has also attached importance to national reconciliation, with the hope that this will be about cooperation from all stake holders in the drive for economic, social and political development.
The government also pledges to restore political stability, marred by ideological conflicts, and to strengthen the democratic system, to boost confidence among Thai and foreign investors through the drafting of a people’s Constitution, adherence to the rule of law, transparency, reform of the government bureaucracy and the military and improvement of public services.
Regarding geo-political challenges, the government pledges to continue its pro-active economic diplomacy and creation of “soft power” and to maintain Thailand’s established strategy of not getting involved in international conflicts.
The government’s policies are to be presented to parliament by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on September 12th and 13th, followed by a debate.
Meanwhile, the opposition People’s party is preparing about 40 MPs to grill the government over its policies.
Party-list MP Sirikanya Tansakul said that the government, albeit now led by PM Paetongtarn, is not new, but a successor to the previous administration and, therefore, the People’s party will demand to know whether the former administration’s election pledges and policies have been or will be fulfilled.
She promised that the government will be given a tough time during the debate, because of the dismal performance of the previous administration in the past twelve months.
