Flood Crisis Dominates PM's First Radio Address

[Lite Beer]

Flood crisis dominates PM's first radio address

The Nation on Sunday

The terms "Bt300 minimum income" and "Bt300 minimum wage" have the same meaning, while the First Home and First Car tax-deduction schemes are aimed at boosting the economy, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said in her first weekly radio address yesterday morning.

In the 30-minute address, the first instalment of her weekly programme "Yingluck Government Meets the People" broadcast live from Government House, she talked about various aspects of the government's work over the past month.

"The Labour Ministry is working to increase the minimum daily wage to Bt300. I have to tell you that the terms ‘Bt300 minimum income' and ‘Bt300 minimum wage' have the same meaning; that is, how to get Bt300 into the pockets of you, the people," she said.

She added that the budget for the Village Fund and the SML Fund (the Small, Medium and Large Community Fund) would be increased to facilitate personal loans and community spending once the problems caused by the ongoing flooding have been dealt with.

"The objective of the First-Home scheme is to help people who are settling down to buy their first house. Importantly, all the measures must boost the economy," she said.

"Buying a house boosts employment, and spending on things for the home. More importantly, the government will receive taxes in return, including VAT, taxes on particular businesses and real-estate transfer fees. The benefit for the people is that taxpayers will get some money back," she said.

The government's reduction of fuel prices by reducing levies contributed to the Oil Fund is temporary and the government still supports the use of alternative energy sources, she said.

Yingluck dedicated much of the programme to a discussion of the government's work in dealing with flood-related problems, including preparation, prevention, rehabilitation and compensation for the victims.

The government has increased the amount of funds available to help flood victims, Yingluck said, with the governor of each flood-hit province now able to spend Bt100 million, up from Bt50 million. Meanwhile, the premier promised to spend the Bt363 million that the government has raised for helping victims transparently and on the most worthwhile causes. For example, she said, 5,000 flat-bottomed boats have been purchased and distributed to help victims, and Bt240,000 would be given to owners of destroyed homes in addition to the Bt35,000 required under government regulations.

The 24/7 Emergency Operation Centre for Floods, Storms and Landslides is coordinating the work of agencies involved in dealing with flood problems in the short term, and people can call 1784 to ask for help or provide information, Yingluck said.

Another committee tasked with solving flood, landslide and drought problems would integrate the government's policies, royally initiated projects and requests from individual governors into a master plan to solve flood problems in the long run, Yingluck said.

Other issues raised by the prime minister included thanking government officials whose retirement started yesterday; the government's plan to host events celebrating His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 84th birthday and the Royal Kathin ceremony on October 22; drug problems; and the violence in the South.

She also said the government would follow the advice of the National Truth for Reconciliation Committee to foster unity and compensate those affected by political conflicts.

At the beginning and the end of the programme, Yingluck mentioned that she would not be the radio show's only host.

"In the following weeks, ministers and I will take turns to share stories with you. This time, we began by talking about solving people's problems. Regarding our policies, we will provide you with more and more details," the prime minister said before closing yesterday's programme.

The weekly programme is aired by Radio Thailand from 8.30am every Saturday. Unlike those of her predecessors, Yingluck's programme was broadcast solely on the radio, and did not appear on television.

-- The Nation 2011-10-02

[Lite Beer]

PM hosted her first weekly TV program, focusing on flood solutions

BANGKOK 2 October, 2011 (NNT)- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinnawatra hosted her first weekly television program during which she emphasized quicker relief operations for flood victims particularly in the 12 hardest-hit provinces.

During the program “Yingluck meets the people”, which is a weekly TV show scheduled every Saturday on state-run channel NBT, the Prime Minister took the opportunity to communicate with the public regarding the ongoing devastating floods in several provinces. She said that she was extremely grateful to His Majesty the King’s royal concerns for the situation as well as moral supports and solutions graciously provided.

The Prime Minister admitted this year’s flooding was critical and that all related agencies had been recruited to deal with the problem. However, she said that because Thailand had experienced continuous storms since July, the situation remained far from returning to normalcy.

Concerning the 12 hardest-stricken provinces including Lop Buri and Sing Buri, Ms. Yingluck stressed that the government was not complacent and had been trying its best to alleviate flooding especially regarding the malfunctioned Bang Chom Si water gate in Sing Buri

The premier continued to say that water management would be set as a national agenda, saying water experts and specialists would work together to brainstorm ideas to deal with the problem. She added that His Majesty’s royally initiated flood management Monkey cheek and the growing of vetiver grass as water barrier would become the core strategies.

Commenting on public donation worth nearly 370 million THB, Prime Minister Yingluck said the government would use the money effectively and transparently, adding that a certain amount of money would be set aside to provide double compensation for the deaths at 50,000 THB each.

Those affected by floods can call the government’s hotline 1784 for assistance 24 hours a day.

-- NNT 2011-10-02