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 September 2009 : Economic Revitalization Policy
Economy recovering due to 2000 billion baht injection The Finance Ministry stated that the economy is recovering since the government had already injected more than 251,000 million baht, equivalent to 2.8 percent of the national GDP, to boost the economy, during October 2008 to June 2009. Current account balance shows revenue at 1,592 billion baht against expenditure at 1,834 billion baht. State revenue totaling 1,592 billion baht can be broken down into the following sources:
Public expenditure totaling 1,834 billion baht was spent by the following:
G 20 economic measures Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva , after the G20 Pittsburgh Summit stated that the meeting decided to replace the G8 with G20 and agreed on 4 economic principles, namely:
Bus leasing approved On 29th September, the Cabinet approved the National Socio-Economic Development Board’s proposal to lease 4,000 buses, at a total cost of 6,300 million baht, on the basis that leasing is less risky than purchasing. The buses will run on natural gas, CNG. Decision on Democrat donation again postponed On 1st October, the Election Commission postponed the decision on the Democrat Party donation for another 30 days, to 31st October 2009. This is the second postponement in order to allow for further examinations. The Democrat Party was accused of receiving an undeclared donation of 258 million baht from TPI Polene Plc and mismanaging 29 million baht from the political party development fund. Acquittal in rubber sapling case The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions acquitted all 44 defendants in the rubber sapling procurement case. The case was filed by the National Counter-Corruption Commission, on behalf of the Asset Examination Committee, against defendants who were politicians, civil servants and businessmen. It was alleged that the procurement caused losses to the State which demanded repayment of 1,440 million baht. The rubber saplings were given to farmers in the north and northeastern regions. Jail for 2-3 digit on-line lottery On 30th September, the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions sentenced:
In order to resolve the illegal 2-3 digit underground lottery, the Thaksin government decided to run for itself an on-line the 2-3 digit lottery. However, after the 19th September 2006 coup, the Asset Examination Committee alleged wrongdoings and took the case to the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions against 47 defendants, including Worathep, then Finance Minister, on grounds that the lottery caused losses to the State. The matter was first decided by the Constitutional Court as to whether the law authorizing the lottery was constitutional. Subsequently, the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions’ sentence was decided on 30th September. The enactment of the 2-3 digits on-line lottery was a matter of controversy in the Parliament appointed after the 19th September 2006 coup. That Parliament approved it on 10th October 2007 with 114 to 36 votes; but it lacked the Prime Minister’s signature, so the Bill could not be submitted for royal assent. The legality of the 2-3 digits on-line lottery was filed, too, to the Administration Court but the Court dismissed the case on August 2008. Samak-Noppadol guilty in Phra Vihear case On 29th September, the National Counter-Corruption Commission decided by 6 to 3 that Samak Sundaravej and Noppadon Pattama were wrong, when as Prime Minister and Foreign Minister respectively, they endorsed the Thai-Cambodia communique supporting Cambodia’s application for the Preah Vihear Temple to be added to UNESCO’s World Heritage list. The matter will be forwarded to the Attorney- General who will be responsible for filing a suit in the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions. Subsequently, the Senate will decide whether to impeach the two according to Article 270 of the Constitution. Four guilty in 7th October police action On 7th September, the National Counter-Corruption Commission decided that 4 persons namely:
were acting against the law when they ordered police to disband the People’s Alliance for Democracy demonstrators on 7th October 2008. The decision and accompanying reports will be sent to the Attorney-General who is responsible for filing suits in the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions. On 7th October 2008, at 6.20 am, the police, in an attempt to disperse demonstrators gathered in front of the Government House, fired tear gas into the crowd, causing many injuries including one who lost a limb. Later that evening, more tear gas was fired into the crowd in front of the Municipal Police Headquarter, causing many more injuries, one fatally. It was later disclosed by the emergency medical unit, Narenthorn Center, that there were 2 deaths: one man and one woman, 443 injuries with 8 losing limbs. Another 20 policemen were injured including 6 who were seriously injured. More money for Village Funds On 29th September, the Cabinet agreed to increase money to the Village Funds to 19,559 million baht to be divided amongst 78,013 villages nationwide. Each will receive an amount based on its size. The money will go first to the 69,932 villages already registered as juristic persons; the remaining 8,081 will get their funds as soon as their registrations are completed. Four most sought-after work sectors According to the Director of the Research Division, Ministry of Labour, Boonlert Teeratrakoon, it is estimated that there is an upward trend in the number of people required in the labour market as follows:
The most needed sectors will be in:
Moreover, demand for labour in manufacturing and industry will constantly increase. Free vocational education for the disabled On 17th September, the Committee for the Promotion of Education for the Disabled approved of free vocational education for the disabled. Previously, they can only obtain free higher education (including all academic expenses) at the university level. Currently, there are 3,355 disabled students are studying in vocational schools, so these will be entitled to free education under the new scheme. Senior Citizen Bill approved On 28th September, the Senate approved the Senior Citizen Bill which had previously been approved by the House with 92 to 0 votes. The Senate also appointed an extraordinary committee to consider amendments to the Bill within 7 days. Matters of concern are funding for the programs, which particular benefits are included and qualifying requirements for senior citizens receiving minimum benefit. Jail for Sondhi The Criminal Court at first instance
The defendants were found guilty of libeling Nappadon Pattama, former Foreign Minister, as a traitor to the King’s Scholarship of which he was a recipient. ABAC poll finds support for constitutional amendment On 27th September, ABAC University revealed results of polls conducted between August and September 2009, on constitutional amendments as follows:
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