Thaksin: Megaprojects on hold

Decisions and actions concerning mega development projects will be postponed until the Thai government is formed, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra says.

When asked for his comment on Thailand's planned investment on the mega projects worth around 1.7 trillion baht, Mr Thaksin said he had stepped down from office; so, the new Thai government would take care of the projects.

Mr Thaksin's administration earlier planned to kick off the projects, beginning from the electronic bidding process or e-option, on April 28.

The caretaker prime miniser brushed aside speculations that he had discussed with ambassadors of several countries over the past week on issues concerning the mega projects, noting that he informed the foreign top envoys in the kingdom of his planned trips to their respective countries in coming weeks.

Among foreign ambassadors meeting with Mr Thaksin over the past week included the US, Chinese, Russian and Japanese top envoys.

The caretaker premier said, however, that the foreign ambassadors express their appreciation to Thailand's democratic development with peaceful freedom of expression despite the recent political turmoil.

Mr Thaksin refused to give any further comments concerning state administrations, saying that he had assigned caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya to serve the public on his behalf, and that in case there would be any guests visiting Thailand, the caretaker deputy premier and caretaker Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon would welcome them. - (TNA)

Source: Bangkok Post - 11 April 2006

Hard to find time for mega projects when you have to spend all your time dealing with mega bahts.