The Nation reports on Surayud’s presentation to the National Legislative Assembly on his regime’s policy initiatives. The summary of economic initiatives reads (with my emphasis):
In regard to the economy, the government has three sets of policies designed to meet the specific requirements of each of the three economic levels – individual, market and national.
At the individual level, dubbed the economic foundation, the four key policies are:
- Encouraging small-scale farmers to embrace the New Economic Theory under the royal initiative. The theory aims to help each farming family achieve sufficiency.
- Promoting products and services from each community and locality.
- Promoting labour welfare and the upgrading of labour skills.
- Ensuring a social safety net for the underprivileged and workers who cannot adapt to market changes.
The policies for the market economy include:
- Promoting investment projects, particularly those designed to enhance local intellectual property and technology transfer.
- Promoting small and medium-sized enterprises by introducing technology and modern management.
- Encouraging private sector-driven exports.
- Promoting the country as a quality tourist destination.
- Promoting energy conservation and developing alternative energy sources.
- Improving the management of mega-projects and setting a clearer prioritisation for implementation.
- Mapping out a master plan to develop the intellectual infrastructure for a knowledge-based society.
- Ensuring a balance between the exploitation and conservation of natural resources.
- Allowing people’s involvement in international trade negotiations.
- Updating laws and trade regulations.
For the overall economy, the government will aim for a national plan to boost efficiency, promote saving at every economic level and incur budget deficits to fuel growth.
Does it come as any surprise that the only mention of the New(?) Economic Theory (sufficiency economy) relates to small-scale farmers? For the rest of the economy – business as usual. And, in a nice touch, promoting “saving at every economic level” while also incurring “budget deficits to fuel growth.”
2 responses so far ↓
1 sick of this // Nov 6, 2006 at 7:08 am
Remember how the junta had complained that Thaksin’s populist marketing gimmics (e.g., healthcare, megaprojects) were expensive and unneccesary? Well, here’s their response:
Govt set to unveil 5 rapid rail lines
Spending will mirror that announced by last administration
The national mass-transit development plan, to be put to the Cabinet tomorrow, will include five rapid rail routes. The government will open the rail extensions to bidding early next year.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula told the National Legislative Assembly last week that spending on the rail routes would mirror that announced by the overthrown Thaksin Shinawatra administration.
2 fall // Nov 6, 2006 at 9:55 pm
With economic situation like this (flood, rise in exchange rate, martial law), expect more government spending to be announce.
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