 August 2009 : Government 6 Month Accomplishment
Government 6 month accomplishments On 6th August, the Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejajiva, announced that, after 6 months in office, his Administration had achieved many of their planned policies such as:
Budget Bill declared constitutional The Constitutional Court decided by 8 to 1 that the 2010 Budget Draft Bill is constitutional. The petition challenging its constitutionality was filed by Chiangmai Paue Thai MP, Surapong Tovichakchaikul. On 29th August, the House of Representatives, attended by 323 members, voted 244 to 10, with 56 abstentions and 13 no-votes, to pass the Bill which will now be sent to the Senate. JICA loan to improve water supply On 25th August, the Cabinet approved the Finance Ministry proposal to seek a 60.61 million USD loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the improvement of the water supply system. The loan period is 15 years with a 5 year grace period and interest at 0.8 % per annum. Government borrowing to boost economy On 18th August, the Cabinet approved the Finance Ministry proposal to borrow 30 billion baht from domestic commercial banks. The loan period is 10 years and the money will be used to invest in programs to boost the economy. Earlier, the government issued bonds worth 50 billion baht. GDP deficit shrinking The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) disclosed that despite a 2.3% rise in the first quarter, GDP in the second quarter is still -4.9% and the average for 6 months is -6.0% due to the rate of -7.1% first quarter. Two hundred billion for economic revitalization On 18th August, the Cabinet approved 400 investment projects in the economic revitalizing plan. The total budget of 200 billion baht will be allocated to 4 main categories: agriculture, public utilities, education and public health. Purchasing could start immediately after Cabinet approval. Purple Line construction approved On 11th August, the Cabinet approved a construction budget, proposed by the Ministry of Transport, for the purple line Rail Mass Transit from Bang Yai to Bang Sue. The budget was reduced by 11%, from 16,724 to 14,292 million baht and divided into 3 separate contracts. It is anticipated that the first contract, covering 12 km with 8 underground stations, could be signed with CKTC Joint Venture, lead by Chor Karn Chang, by the end of August. The second and third contracts could go ahead following approval by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the lending institution. More educational reform On 18th August, the Cabinet approved the Education Ministry proposal to reform national education during 2009-2018. In addition, there will be 2 new committees: one to reform policy and the second to implement the reform. In the first committee, the Prime Minister will be the Chairperson, the Education Minister will be the Deputy and the Secretary-General of the Office of the Education Council, (Thongthong Chandhrangsu) will be the Secretary. In the second committee, the Education Minister will be the Chair. Ruling on Democrat donation postponed The Election Commission postponed for another 30 days its decision involving donation to the Democrat Party. It also asked the relevant sub-committee to further examine the Party’s leader, Abhisit Vejjajiva and a contributor Prachai Leawpairat, former CEO of the Thai Petroleum Industry Plc. The Democrat Party was alleged to have received a donation of 258 million baht and the wrongful use of 29 million baht from the political party development fund. Ruling of rubber saplings postponed On 17tthAugust, The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions postponed to 21st Sept the reading of its verdict on the rubber sapling procurement case, after the former Commerce Minister, Adisai Bodharamik, one of the defendants, failed to show up in court. It also issued an arrest warrant for him for deliberately avoiding the court’s verdict. The case was brought by the Asset Scrutiny Committee (ASC), alleging that Adisai and 44 other defendants were involved in the illegal bidding of 90 million rubber saplings, worth 1,440 million baht. If the court found them guilty, the defendants may be liable to repay State’s losses. House re-approved Petroleum tax On 20th August, the House of Representatives approved, by 244 to 143 with 2 abstentions and 6 no-votes, to pass the Petroleum Tax Ordinance. The Ordinance had previously been approved by the House, but the Senate refused; so it had to be approved by the House the second time before it can be enacted. Red Shirts petition to pardon Thaksin On 17th August, a group of Red Shirts led by Veera Musikapong submitted a petition to His Majesty the King, through the Royal Household Deputy Secretary-General, asking for the pardon of former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra. The petition will be sent to the Government for their comments before being submitted to His Majesty. Social security program to cover dependants On 6th August, the Cabinet approved in principle the expansion of the social security program to cover members’ spouse and children. However, the draft Bill needs to be considered by the Council of State before being sent to Parliament. Thirty billion for disaster relief On 4th August, the Cabinet approved measures to alleviate natural disasters and to assist those affected by them. A budget of 33,067 million baht will be allocated to relevant agencies. Public to save on energy costs On 11th August, the Cabinet approved the Energy Policy and Planning Commission measures to reduce the cost of energy for the public by:
Air-conditioners to get tax waiver On 25th August, the Cabinet approved the waiver of excise tax on locally produced air-conditioning units from 15% to zero. It is, therefore, expected that the cost of new locally produced units will go down by 10%-15%, making it competitive with smuggled units. Estimated annual State loss from the waiver is approximately 1,600 million baht, but it is anticipated that more units will be sold. Strengthening SBPAC to resolve Southern violence On 18th August, the Cabinet approved the draft Bill to restructure and upgrade the Southern Border Province Administration Center (SBPAC) to become the responsible agency for Southern provinces. The Bill will be considered by the Council of State before approval by Parliament. Special privileges for Southern officers On 18th August, the Cabinet approved the proposal to grant special privileges to officers in the four Southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and districts of Thepa, Sabayoi, Nathawee and Jana in Songkhla Province. Responsible agencies will be allowed to recruit officers on contract terms for a period of 4 to 6 years. It is expected that these special privileges will boost morale for those serving in the area. From : http://www.fpps.or.th |