Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said today that she wishes for her government to remain in the office for the remaining three-year term of the current parliament, as she sought cooperation from all coalition partners to deliver the government’s policies for national development and the betterment of the people.
In her formal press conference, after the first meeting of her new Cabinet today, she said that most of the government’s policies, to be presented to parliament on September 12th and 13th, are similar to those introduced by the previous administration, but with some adjustments to correspond with the changing situation.
With her ministers coming from various parties, and with various qualifications and experience, she said that such diversity can be exploited, because they know the problems of the people in their constituencies and can address them effectively.
Her government, said Paetongtarn, must waste no time in starting work.
Chronic problems and challenges, such as household debt, human resource development and financial difficulties encountered by the SMEs, will be treated as urgent matters to be addressed as a priority, said Paetongtarn.
As prime minister, she said that the performance of individual ministers will be assessed periodically, to ensure that they are performing to the required level or to identify whether any of them are experiencing problems which require help from the prime minister.
She also said that she has urged her ministers to carry on with the unfinished work of her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, such as economic stimulus measures, addressing the flooding, helping flood victims and dealing with the prices of farm products, among others.
When asked about potential interference in government affairs by her father, former prime minister Thaksin, the prime minister brushed aside the question, saying that the country must move forward.
She added, however, that the government is open to good ideas from any individuals, regardless of their age or background.
