[APWSLMembers 25] FW: Re: The situation in Thailand

[parat Nanakhorn]

>From: "Rubinawwo" <rubinawwo at nexlinx.net.pk>
>To: <paratn at hotmail.com>
>CC: <apwslmembers-owner at labornetjp.org>
>Subject: Re: [APWSLMembers 24] The situation in Thailand
>Date: Tue, 12 Jul 2005 23:55:14 +0500
>
>Dear Parat,
>
>Greetings from Pakistan.
>
>Thanks for brief about situation in Thailand.
>
>It is great if you kindly send me the report of APWSL General Council as
>well as the addresses and the name of the participants.  Than I am able to
>giving you my humble suggestion.
>
>Thanks and best wishes in your work,
>
>Rubina
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: parat Nanakhorn <paratn at hotmail.com>
>To: <APWSLMembers at labornetjp.org>
>Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2005 10:42 AM
>Subject: [APWSLMembers 24] The situation in Thailand
>
>
> > ECONOMIC PUMP-PRIMINGJ: Embattled PM throws caution to the wind
> > Published on July 13, 2005
> > Offensive stimulus measures, more populist spending announced as govt
>braces
> > for impact of diesel float
> > Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday unveiled an 
>economic-stimulus
> > package highlighted by more populist spending schemes. The measures
> > represent a major political gamble apparently aimed at arresting the 
>slump
> > in the prime minister's popularity and cushioning the impact of the
> > government's decision to end the diesel-price subsidy yesterday.
> > Pay rises for state workers, new tax incentives and the direct injection
>of
> > a huge budget into villages nationwide were among the measures that will
> > likely shock economists, who have been advocating austerity from the
> > government and calling for an official signal that all is not well in 
>the
> > country.
> > The announcement of the measures, which are sure to cheer some sections 
>of
> > the public, came against a backdrop of Thaksin's lowest ever popularity
> > ratings and fears of a crisis in consumer and investor confidence.
> > Apparently, government economic advisers are afraid that the decision to
> > float the diesel price, if coupled with traditional austerity measures,
> > could wipe out confidence in the already wobbly economy and send it
> > spiralling into a slump.
> > The package announced last night was brought on by the need for the
> > government to address the impact of high oil prices.
> > The package included a 5-per-cent increase in salaries for public
>officials
> > and retiring officials. A salary increase for civil servants was
>originally
> > planned for October.
> > The pay increases would require about Bt20 billion in extra funds.
> > The prime minister said he would also allow increases in the minimum 
>daily
> > wages.
> > Further discussion would
> > be needed to settle the final increases.
> > The measures came as opinion polls showed the government's popularity is
> > slipping. Many economists oppose the stimulus package and have urged the
> > government to focus instead on stabilising the economy. They said 
>measures
> > to increase growth would end up boosting inflation and would cause the
> > current account deficit to widen further.
> > Among other measures, tax incentives would be offered to private 
>companies
> > to encourage them to raise salaries for skilled workers. The government
> > would also extend firms a 200-per-cent tax deduction on training costs, 
>up
> > from 150 per cent currently.
> > The government will push for higher fringe benefits for company 
>employees
> > with monthly salaries of less than Bt7,000 in an effort to boost their
> > incomes to at least Bt7,000. The costs to employers could be offset by
> > claims for tax deductions of 150 per cent, up from 100 per cent at
>present.
> > Another 500,000 elderly poor would get Bt300 each a month from the
> > government, in addition to the 500,000 who already receive the payments.
> > There are about 6 million senior citizens in the country.
> > Public health volunteers would also get higher incomes, up from about
> > Bt7,500 a month a present.
> > Additionally, the government would encourage businesses in rural
>communities
> > to boost the incomes of local residents.
> > On Friday, the government will inject Bt20 billion into rural villages -
>or
> > about Bt250,000 per village - under the SML project. Villages would be
>free
> > to manage their own funds.
> > In August, the government will invite major rice-exporting countries to
>meet
> > in Bangkok to form a loose cartel in a bid to boost rice prices.
> > Thaksin said he was hopeful the US would lift its anti-dumping measures
> > against Thai shrimp products, allowing the country to export more of the
> > products.
> > Towards the end of his speech, Thaksin urged Thais to buy farm produce,
>such
> > as fragrant rice and shrimp, amid a glut on local markets.
> > Thaksin also reiterated he would speed up government spending.
> > The prime minster made his speech last night at the Navy Auditorium 
>during
>a
> > function to mark the 72nd anniversary of his alma mater, Chiang Mai's
> > Montfort College. The event was broadcast live on TV Channel 9 and the
> > airtime cost was covered by the school.
> > Many TV viewers appeared to be satisfied with the measures announced by
>the
> > prime minister, according to a survey by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University.
> > Almost 47 per cent of a focus group comprising 144 people said they were
> > "rather satisfied" with the government's short-term measures to boost 
>the
> > economy. About 40 per cent of focus group viewers said they were "rather
> > confident" that the measures announced would be beneficial.
> > Wichit Chaitrong
> > The Nation
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
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> >
>
>
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