Economy a patient recovered from pre-junta illness: Somkid

By Wichit Chaitrong 
The Nation 

 

DEPUTY PRIME Minister Somkid Jatusripitak

 

DEPUTY PRIME Minister Somkid Jatusripitak yesterday called for political calm for the sake of economic development amid planned protests by groups demanding an early election.
 

When the junta government seized office four years ago the economic situation was analogous to a sick patient affected by many factors including political unrest and lack of confidence, he said. 

 

When the government implemented measures to stimulate the economy, the patient began to perk up. But his government did not put a lot of money into the farm sector, and so farmers did not gain as much as they had from the rice-pledging scheme implemented by the previous government.

 

The government has built confidence by launching the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) project, said Somkid, which would underpin the next cycle of higher growth by propelling the country toward an entrepreneurial economy.

 

“Critics should not politicise government economic management policy,” said Somkid in an interview with The Nation. “Everyone should focus on further carrying out of reforms,” he said, referring to opposition politicians and others who criticise government policy for not benefiting the majority of people.

 

Government could not just give cash handouts to farmers but is instead trying to reform the farm sector to achieve growth sustainability, and that will take time, said Somkid in a dig referencing the controversial rice-pledging scheme of the Yingluck Shinawatra government. 

 

The baht is now relatively weakened against the US dollar, and the rising crude oil price has pulled up the prices of rice, palm oil and cassava root. The price of rubber sheets also shows signs of recovery, he said. 

 

Farmers still needed to improve product quality and find markets and this could be supported by e-commerce and farm technology, he said. 

 

Somkid expected that more private investment would come as the government’s infrastructure projects progress. First to climb would be the property sector as it takes advantage of the new routes of mass transit projects in Bangkok, he said. 

 

More foreign investment could be expected, particularly in the EEC, he said, noting that the government has received many trade missions from multiple countries.

 

The government would soon take its EEC-promotion message on the road in Europe and the United States, he said.

 

“We have to have confidence in our potential and also convince others to believe in our confidence.” 

 

Asked whether he worried about planned protests by groups calling for an early election, Somkid said that protesters should not disrupt the road map to an election. 

 

“Certainly, an election will take place,” he warned. “Don’t create political violence – it’s not worth it.” 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30345957

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-05-22

3 minutes ago, webfact said:

Certainly, an election will take place,” he warned

Why does he warn about something that is supposed to be positive for the people? That tells med the level of intelligence they are dealing with.

it was  sick 4  years ago with terminal cancer, it aint gone into remission its on its way to "exit"

36 minutes ago, webfact said:

The government would soon take its EEC-promotion message on the road in Europe and the United States, he said.

Nice Euro vacation planned  then, will they be taking a whole private plane full again?

58 minutes ago, webfact said:

“Critics should not politicise government economic management policy,” said Somkid in an interview with The Nation.

this is Exactly what he is doing; hypocrite

If a patient is sick in Thailand you have two choices: go to a private hospital and pay big money for ineffectual treatment; or go to a hospital for the poor and die.

16 minutes ago, mikebell said:

If a patient is sick in Thailand you have two choices: go to a private hospital and pay big money for ineffectual treatment; or go to a hospital for the poor and die.

Very true and a grim metaphor for...other things..

Edited May 22, 20188 yr by Odysseus123

The economic growth is much higher as during the previous government but as i stated before IMHO governments can't influence growth a lot (just a few points of a percent) the rest happens because of a favorable world economy. 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

“Critics should not politicise government economic management policy,” said Somkid in an interview with The Nation. “Everyone should focus on further carrying out of reforms,” he said, referring to opposition politicians and others who criticise government policy for not benefiting the majority of people.

Economics is inherently political as the critics recognize. You can't be honest and not politicize it.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Economy a patient recovered from pre-junta illness: Somkid

Yes, I guess typhoid Mary probably felt a little ill at first ! 

Are you admitting that you have failed the people Khun Somkid ? You got 4 years and counting. No other government except one had that luxury of 4 years. Maybe you should step down for someone more capable and more independent instead of kissing up to the boss. 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

But his government did not put a lot of money into the farm sector, and so farmers did not gain as much as they had from the rice-pledging scheme implemented by the previous government.

Interesting admission that the rice-pledging scheme provided the farm sector with more gain that the current Prayut government. And that's despite the junta's longer regime term (4 years and counting), control of the NLA and use of absolute power.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The government would soon take its EEC-promotion message on the road in Europe and the United States, he said.

European and US Disneyland holiday time coming up for the some of the junta freeloaders. 

Every time I see a photo of this man he reminds me of the quintessential "flash as rat with a gold tooth" type used car salesman. 

3 minutes ago, Cadbury said:

European and US Disneyland holiday time coming up for the some of the junta freeloaders. 

Every time I see a photo of this man he reminds me of the quintessential "flash as rat with a gold tooth" type used car salesman. 

They all behave like used car salesman and that is indeed their modus operandi...and who is really to gainsay them when they state that their 20 year old battered Hilux is but a Ferrari in disguise?

 

Yep,a bunch of Flash Harry's gorging at the trough and proud to display their bling and trinkets on each and every occasion.

 

Methinks he doth celebrate a little early.

 

6 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Interesting admission that the rice-pledging scheme provided the farm sector with more gain that the current Prayut government. And that's despite the junta's longer regime term (4 years and counting), control of the NLA and use of absolute power.

 

That scheme certainly provided "some" members of the non farm sector with plenty of gains too!

 

Where did all that money come from and where did it all go?

 

We'll never really know as PTP seemingly didn't bother keeping any books.

1 minute ago, Baerboxer said:

 

That scheme certainly provided "some" members of the non farm sector with plenty of gains too!

 

Where did all that money come from and where did it all go?

 

We'll never really know as PTP seemingly didn't bother keeping any books.

Where did all that money go? Corruption of course just another day in Thailand. The NACC seem keen to go after some corruption only. 

2 hours ago, Father Fintan Stack said:

Junta-apologist and Thaksin obsessive nonsense as per. 

 

Your usual Shin adorer rhetoric.

 

Talking of obsessive, you spring to your imagined slight of the genius of Thaksinomics; whereas in reality Rob never mentioned Thaksin but a general valid comment.

 

 

1 minute ago, Eric Loh said:

Where did all that money go? Corruption of course just another day in Thailand. The NACC seem keen to go after some corruption only. 

 

Of course. The NACC focus on one camp just like the "gun for hire" Tharit did when controlling the DSI, and switching sides when it suited.

 

And that is what really need to change.

5 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Of course. The NACC focus on one camp just like the "gun for hire" Tharit did when controlling the DSI, and switching sides when it suited.

 

And that is what really need to change.

Both actually have different responsibilities. DSI mainly high profile criminal cases while NACC more for corruption of high-ranking government officials and politicians. Both filled with corrupt officials.  

A post containing a disallowed reference to the PM has been removed.