Thailand will borrow foreign expertise to generate wealth, as locally grown knowledge is limited and cannot keep pace with global change, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said yesterday. International experts, especially those who specialise in mega-infrastructure projects, would be hired to accelerate national progress, Mr Thaksin told a meeting of middle management organised by the Bureaucracy Development Commission.

``The question is how we can cultivate global knowledge and use it to speed up the country's development. If we drift away in our thoughts, we won't catch up with the rest of the world,'' he said.

Many state mega-projects were being held back despite abundant liquidity and credit. The hinderance was the limitations of locally cultivated knowledge.

The recruitment of foreign experts and investors would bring in both money and knowhow. The United States was an example of how the ``cream'' from various nationalities could help a country prosper. Thailand could be a similar melting pot.

``We'll tap the brains of these people to create our wealth,'' Mr Thaksin said. ``I'll invite the whole world to advise us on how Thailand can take a leap forward in its development. They can come in and invest.''

In return, the government would offer a mix of farm commodities and cash as payment. A panel of independent agencies and media representatives would monitor the investments, he said.

Gonna get paid in chickens.

Is this a hub in the making?

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cv