First lot of village fund injected to boost local economy

BANGKOK: The government's 35 billion baht village fund was officially launched yesterday under the scheme of the government to boost local economy.

The launch ceremony was presided over by Prime Minster General Prayut Chan-o-cha at a technical workshop themed “Strengthening the economic foundation in compliance with the Civil State Policy”.

About 12,000 village fund members also took oath to ensure transparency and accountability in spending the village funds during the ceremony.

Under the scheme, initially 35 billion baht soft loan will be extended through the Government Saving Bank and the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Co-operatives to villages to help boost the village-level economy.

The government will inject a total of 60 billion baht to 79,000 villages throughout the country.

Each village will receive a 500,000 baht fund.

In the launch ceremony, Gen Prayut stressed that public budget must not be invested on any particular sector and budget disbursement must be transparent and accountable so as to enable simultaneous development of all sectors together.

It is the principle of civil state, he said.

He compared the civil state policy to a man’s five fingers, saying that each of the fingers has its own function and is indispensable.

Government administration needs to concern the majority of the people because the people are part of the government, he said.

He said further that in the early stage of the scheme, villagers will receive advices while their projects will be examined.

In future, there will be decentralisation and they will have full authority over the money, he said.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/151750

-- Thai PBS 2016-01-20

It will be very interesting to find out how this money will be spent,

what projects and if they are a success or just a waste of tax payers

money,but I suppose we will never hear anything,do these villages

have to repay these funds or are they a gift?.

regards Worgeordie

Not sure about this??? The last government hand out was one million baht to my village to be shared equally by the villagers. 8,666 baht per person. The wife and MIL said they didn't want it so their share went into the pool for other villagers. The money was supposed to be repaid in a year....about 9 months from now. I'd say the government boys will be short a few satang when the money comes back!

"About 12,000 village fund members also took oath to ensure transparency and accountability in spending the village funds during the ceremony."

Hmm, were any of them grinning at the time?

"About 12,000 village fund members also took oath to ensure transparency and accountability in spending the village funds during the ceremony."

Hmm, were any of them grinning at the time?

Taking an oath is a serious and binding procedure to Thais. Remember all government politicians take an oath before the King to be honest. This is second only to becoming a monk, another group of honest people.

Where's my Pepto Bismol?

When I see money going into water management, better seed selection, alternate pesticides, more efficient harvesting methods and soil analysis I know that the farmers long term future will be secure.

Until then it will be as described. A short term solution to boost the economy.

They should introduce Khon Korns successful rice scheme, but being viewed as biased towards the democrats by the govt it won't happen in my view.

Get over it and help the farmers which few have ever done before.

Edited February 20, 201610 yr by djjamie

So far the money spent has gone in my village to purchasing wheelie bins the cost of the bins being emptied will go towards repaying part of the loan, also money spent on finishing off the meeting hall,we are also hoping to have zebra crossing installed with signs and caution lights near the main secondary road, Further discussions on a well or wells will be discussed as with other village ideas once the meeting hall is finished,

First hand i can say at least one village is implementing common sense, and a responcible use of funds.

So this is why beer and ciggies are so expensive - I heard during the last hand out gold shops and motorcycle dealers were doing a roaring trade

Oath to ensure transparency. That ought to do it. Just check village officials bank accounts before and after the disbursement of funds to the village.