BANGKOK (NNT) – The Prime Minister has urged economic Cabinet members to change their operational approach to better drive national development inclusively, and ordered related agencies to tackle the unemployment crisis.
The Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha said today the government is giving high priority to the grassroots economy, farming, and unemployment issues, all of which require cooperation from all sides to find meaningful solutions.
He said economic Cabinet members have been urged to adjust their approach to address more issues, and to ensure continuous budget availability between the final quarter this year and the first next year, as the 2020 fiscal year budget bill is still under consideration.
On the unemployment issue, the Prime Minister said even though there have been some 1,000 factory closures affecting many employees, there has at the same time been the opening of 2,800 new factories. He said the government is prepared to assist affected workers, as well as fresh graduates facing difficulty finding employment.
On the utilization of the Social Security Fund balance, the Prime Minister insisted there is no intention of using that money for other types of spending, however there have been proposals on how to make use of the funds to maximize profits. He said there have so far been no orders except for further studies to take place on legal feasibility. The Prime Minister has asked for this matter to be reported accurately, insisting that the government cannot use this money for any other purposes.
On the controversy over the legitimacy of the Palang Pracharath Party MP Pareena Kraikup’s ownership of ALRO land, the Prime Minister has ordered an investigation to take place, and asked the National Land Policy Committee to look into the matter.
He said the committee will look into maps to sort out any land rights overlap, ensuring that all comply with the law.
