Thai government to give New Year's gifts to the people

[elgordo38]

Come on guys quit raining on his parade. He is trying to play Santa Claus and all you guys can come up with is Scrooge. Next thing you know you will quit believing in the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy. New Years is just around the corner maybe he is trying to turn over a new leaf. There is a little good in all of us. As soon as I can find it in him I will get back to you.

Edited December 15, 2015 by elgordo38

[webfact]

Cabinet okays 'gifts' for low-income earners
Erich Parpart
The Nation



THE Cabinet has approved 194 New Year gifts

BANGKOK: -- These include free use of motorways from the Transport Ministry and a boost from the Finance Ministry in the 4 per cent soft-loan budget for SMEs.

"The New Year will mainly concentrate on fixing the country's problems, such as encouraging changes in [farmers'] cultivation behaviour to match global demand in order to avoid a mismatch between supply and demand," spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd told reporters after the Cabinet meeting yesterday.

Cabinet approved a proposal by the Transport Ministry for toll-free motorways from midnight on December 25 to midnight on Jan 3 for Bangkok to Ban Chang in Rayong, Bang Phli in Samut Prakan to Bang Pa-in in Ayutthaya and the Burapha Withee expressways.

The Finance Ministry also proposed and gained approval for the increase in the budget for soft loans for SMEs lent by commercial banks, special financial institutions and especially the state owned Government Savings Bank (GSB).

The initial budget for a 4 per cent interest rate loan for SMEs was set at Bt100 billion and most of this - around Bt70 billion - has already been used up by the state bank as the measure was introduced in August and has gained vast interest from SMEs.

So, the Cabinet agreed yesterday to boost the GSB's budget for the scheme by another Bt50 billion.

Under the soft-loan program, the GSB will lend to commercial banks, which will re-lend the money to SMEs at an interest rate of 4 per cent per annum for seven years to support SMEs' liquidity needs as the current market interest rate of 7 per cent is seen as too high by small business operators hit by the economic slowdown since early 2014.

Other New Year "gifts" related to helping low income earners to lower their holiday burden included the government asking for malls and department stores' cooperation so that New Year sales include everyday products.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has also instructed his economic team to talk with suppliers of electronics about extra sales of home appliances.

Other initiatives linked to the New Year involve the service sector and includes events to "lift" human capital, plus social and environment developments.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Cabinet-okays-gifts-for-low-income-earners-30275019.html

-- The Nation 2015-12-16

[Enoon]

"Largesse" from feudal overlords, donating to serfs.

"Now, back to the dirt, or else"

The true face of Thai hierarchy.

[flyingdoc]

Why always so critical?

[taony]

With the ban in posting how are we supposed to respond to this drivel anymore?

[Brer Fox]

Low value gifts for low income earners during Yuletide. That is the first part of the new government policy. Also there is to be very high value gifts for high to very high income earners. That is the second part of the policy which will remain unannounced so individual details remain confidential. There has been a rush on stationery shops for the seasonal Christmas decorated brown envelopes.

[harrry]

Free oxygen. Yippee!

Not free about 200 baht a tank

[MaiChai]

I'll take a nice white Merc?

[Vagabond1]

The SME financing program is a good idea. Great they are expanding it.

[Artisi]

if they really want to make folks happy scrap the silly licencing hours, reduce tax on booze and legalise gambling, and prostitution of course

No need, already available with the exception lowering the tax on booze.

So , What makes you think that this would be good for Thailand ? Are you from or have lived in a country that has experienced this ? Or are you just thinking like an emptied headed alcoholic with no thought of the reason for licencing hours and other laws?

And you must be a uneducated idiot without any reading comprehension.

Where did I say anything about changing any laws or licensing hours. If you would like to read

s l o w l y you might note that I was being facetious about the laws which are currently disregarded when it comes to gambling, prostitution and licencing hours. Seems you don't even live in Thailand otherwise you would be aware of these facts. And as for your stupid comments - don't judge others by your low standards.

Remedial reading classes are available if you are interested.

[cracker1]

"Thai government to give New Year's gifts to the people"

Couldn't see anything in this story about what it is that the Government is giving to the people ?

I understand many retailers and manufacturers will perhaps lower their prices and the people will benefit, but what is the Government providing them ?

[Mudcrab]

Pay one bar fine...get 4 girls free type of thing?