May 2017 : Four Questions from PM Prayuth Four questions concerning general election asked Cabinet resolved 2018 fiscal budget 2.9 trillion baht Reform Commission consent on draft media bill Cabinet appointed an independent education reform commission Oversea universities can open in Thailand NIDA poll revealed 42% Thai happiness unchanged Pracharat Revolving Fund starts up 50 billion baht New parliament construction progress 35 % Thailand Future Fund for the construction of 2 express ways Consumers’ protection plan approved by cabinet State revenue rose to 1.22 trillion baht in 7 months More 521.86 million baht allocates to alleviate flooded farmers A 5.9 billion baht to subsidize state railway and public buses GDP in first quarter rose to 3.3% Public debt in March 6.16 trillion baht 42.27% of GDP 4 Questions concerning the general election asked       Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha in his weekly televised affirmed Thailand would not become a failed democratic country and his administration will utterly governing in line with King Bhumibol’s advise to reach the goals; stability, prosperously and sustainability. He would like to have the public opinions on 4 matters; Will good governance come from the next general election? If not, what shall we do? Election is a significant component of democracy, but is it appropriate to have election without to the country’s future; national strategy and reform? Should the indecent politicians have opportunity to run in the election, if they are re-elected and cause similar troubles, who should responsible in solving and how?       All comments should be sent to the provincial Dhamrongtham Centers and to be forwarded by the interior Ministry. Prayuth affirmed all will be taken into his consideration. Cabinet resolved on 2018 fiscal budget 2.9 trillion baht       On 9 May, the Cabinet resolved on the 2018 fiscal budget with principles as follow: Expenditure 2.9 trillion baht, 23 billion baht less than 2017. Income estimation 2.45 trillion, 79.921 billion baht increased from 2017. Deficit is 450 billion baht. Budget breakdown: Regular expenditure 2.15 trillion baht, investment 659.924 billion baht which is 875 million increased and loan payment 86.942 billion baht.       Details will be completed for resubmission on 30 May. NRC consent on draft media bill       On 1 May, after seven hours deliberation the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) voted 141 to 13 and 17 abstained to resolve the committee’s report on media draft bill and disapproved with 88 to 67 votes on the appointment of special committee to revise the bill. The NRC reasoned the revision should be made by the committee. An education reform committee appointed       The Cabinet resolved on an appointment of an independent committee on education reform. The 25 members came from retired bureaucrats and private sector. The secretariat functions shall be performed by the Office of Education Council. Foreign universities’ branches to open in Thailand       The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) exercised Article 44 to allow foreign universities’ branches to open in Thailand. However, they can locate in the special economic areas particularly in the Eastern Economic corridor. A supervisory board, chaired by the education minister will oversee the operation. NIDA poll: 42% happiness stable       NIDA poll revealed a public happiness study on the third anniversary of NCPO take power conducted between11-12 May on 1,250 samples countrywide. The majority 42% are “unchanged”, 32.64% “increased” and 24.76% “decreased” due to no political unrest and economic problems respectively. A Pracharat Revolving Fund to help grass root       On May 9, the Cabinet resolved to establish a Pracharat Revolving Fund to strengthen the grass root economy. The maximum capital of 50 billion baht will be used for: Promoting standard of living. Developing professions skills and job opportunities in community level. Easing daily lives problems. Providing habitations and cultivating land. Safeguarding of income risk.       The Cabinet also extended the free bus and rail rides for another 5 months, from May 1 to September 30. It is estimated the program will cost 1,907 million baht; 1,540 million for free buses and 367 million for rail. New parliament construction 35% progress       The new 12 billion baht project parliament building in Kiak Kai area is under construction to 35% completion. The contractor, Shino-Thai, has requested for a 926 days extension but not yet approved by the committee. The building is scheduled to be finished and hand-over on 31 December 2019 making early 2020 as moving in. Thailand Future Fund for infrastructure investment       On 30 May, the Cabinet resolved an establishment of Thailand Future Fund, total capita 100 billion baht, to finance the state expressway infrastructure program. 44.819 billion baht will be used on a construction of west-south corridor and 30.437 billion baht on the north and east-west corridor. Seed money 10 billion baht will be provided by the Finance Ministry. The Fund will be sold to private sector and individuals in order to ease public burden and state investment cost. Consumers’ strategy approved On 9 May, the Cabinet approved a strategic plan on consumers’ protection aims to develop: System and mechanisms. Data base. Knowledge and communications. Consumers’ network. Integration. Public revenue increases       The Office of the Fiscal Policy disclosed public revenue in the 7th month of 2017 fiscal year has rose to 1.22 trillion baht which is 4,960 million baht higher than anticipated. More 521 million baht for flooded farmers       On 2 May, the Cabinet resolved to allocate another 521 million baht, from the central budget, to remedy 173,000 farmers in the southern region suffered by 2016/2017 flood. Each will receive a 3,000 baht subsidy similar to those 1.58 million household countrywide previously resolved on 24 January 2017 making a total remediation 5,268 million baht. Bus-rail transit got 5.9 billion baht subsidy       On 2 May, the Cabinet resolved on a total of 5.9 billion baht to compensate the loss of Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) and State Railway of Thailand (SRT). They would receive 2,320 and 3,578 million baht respectively. Q1 GDP rises 3.3%       The National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) announced GDP in the first quarter of 2017 increases 3.3% than Q4 of 2016. Among all, agriculture sector was significant and household expenditure increased 3.2 %. Public investment continues to rise 9.7% but private dropped to minus 1.1%. Public debt in March was 6.16 trillion baht       Public debt on 31 March 2017 was 6,166,549.32 million baht, equivalent to 42.27 % of GDP and the accrual net increases was 76,318.65 million baht. 4,728,655.60 baht were government’s debt, 962,885.32 million baht state enterprises’, 455,580.18 million baht state enterprises’ financial institutions (government guaranteed) and 19,428.22 million baht state agencies’.       Among those, 5,852,291.95 million baht, 94.90%, was domestic debts and 314,257.37 million baht (9,205 million USD), 5.10%, was international debt. 5,308,483.73 million baht, 86.09%, was long term loan and 858,065.59 billion baht, 5.10%, was short term.