Expedite budget spending: Prayut

[Lite Beer]

Expedite budget spending: Prayut
The Nation

A young girl presents a flower garland to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who presided over the launch of the Office of the National Economics and Social Development Board

BANGKOK: -- PM pushes to speed up disbursement of over Bt100 bn remaining from 2014 budget

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday instructed ministries to expedite their 2014 budget expenditure with focus on boosting investment and employment in order to stimulate the economy.

In his weekly television programme last night, the premier said each ministry had been told to inspect their projects to see if they had been carried out, whether they need planning or revision and whether they have been endorsed.

"This is to expedite the disbursement of more than Bt100 billion from the fiscal 2014 budget in order to stimulate the economy in the remaining three months and to promote income generation," he said.

The government will also push for the conclusion of various small-scale projects before the year-end, he said.

He added that an additional Bt50 billion would be injected into the fiscal 2015 budget to create employment in local communities and the government would also inspect the Bt20 billion that has been earmarked for loan facilities but not yet utilised. Prayut said this money would be used to invest in infrastructure in accordance with public needs, such as renovating schools, irrigation systems, roads and community medical centres.

He pointed out that this would help create employment and increase spending, which will serve to stimulate the economy.

In his televised weekly speech, Prayut also guaranteed transparency in the selection of National Reform Council members, adding that the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) was also open to suggestions from the public.

"Society should not believe that this process will be based on favouritism. The results are not even out yet ... We shall obtain comments from all parties involved. We are ready to listen to any matter that requires consideration," Prayut said. "I guarantee that everything will be transparent and that there is no corruption." The NCPO yesterday selected 250 NRC members, and the list will be submitted for royal endorsement next week.

The prime minister also had some advice for university lecturers.

"Do not teach with the intention of causing further tensions and confrontation at this time of national reform," he said.

He also referred to the open letter recently issued by 60 academics from 16 universities, in which they condemned the authorities for cancelling academic discussions and detaining academics and students from Thammasat University last week.

"I think you understand my position. There are many other academics who understand the situation and don't have a problem. Let society be the judge of your actions," he said.

Prayut also denied moves to censor the media, though he warned journalists against "intensifying conflicts by reporting beyond facts".

"If you think something is not right, please say so. I will not take it personally … I have never banned the reporting of news and facts, but I don't see the need to exacerbate conflicts."

The prime minister wrapped up the programme by thanking viewers for listening to him over the past four months. He also called on people to learn from their past mistakes and successes in order to ensure a brighter outlook for the country.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Expedite-budget-spending-Prayut-30244256.html

-- The Nation 2014-09-27

[jcisco]

The good general, if he manages to keep it all above board and keeps talking. Hang on and doesn't end up with himself in the middle of some controversy undermining his good intentions and veracity on so many things. Then this guy should go into brand or campaign management, really four months without scandal, I'm impressed and hopeful.

I feel bad for thinking / expecting the worst from people in the spotlight......

[rickirs]

"The prime minister also had some advice for university lecturers. 'Do not teach with the intention of causing further tensions and confrontation at this time of national reform,' he said."

University teachers/lecturers convey INFORMATION and the mechanics of THOUGHT PROCESSES. They do not convey political intentions, confrontation, or actions. It is the STUDENT that may choose to apply such knowledge to their own lives and social environment. To that end the students may DISCOVER on their own contradictions and/or discrepancies in the society that the regime dictates, and REACT in a manner they so choose, if at all. So why does the PM focus on the teachers/lecturers?

By answer the PM seems to want to also control the information and thought processes provided to students to assure that students will only receive content that is supportive of the regime's intentions. Such a goal would appear consistent with the regime's control over CONTENT conveyed by news and social media. I undertsand perfectly the regime's true concerns. If the regime feels teachers/lecturers are suspect in challenging its societal designs, then maybe it should act more directly and insert its own indocturnated military personnel to direct the university learning process. This would be the honest action to take if the regime wants transparency.

And what comes to mind is this related quote:

“You see these dictators on their pedestals, surrounded by the bayonets of their soldiers and the truncheons of their police ... yet in their hearts there is unspoken fear. They are afraid of words and thoughts: words spoken abroad, thoughts stirring at home -- all the more powerful because forbidden -- terrify them. A little mouse of thought appears in the room, and even the mightiest potentates are thrown into panic.” - Winston Churchill, Blood, Sweat and Tears.

[rubl]

Well, after the thought provoking post of rickirs, let's continue with today's events, the disburstment of 100 billion Baht still left over from the 2013/2014 National Budget.

Somehow this always seems to happen in Thailand, having some leftover billions at the end of a fiscal year, with many extra things done, and seemingly some planned activities not done. Maybe the (three?) monthly budget reports the PM mentioned before will help.

Edited September 27, 2014 by rubl

[Robespiere]

When the money runs out and the economy is in the gutter.............

All sane, rational people know how this all turns out.

It's why the opposition have been so quiet.

No need to do anything but sit around and wait for the inevitable implosion (and then return as the saviour).