Bangkok Post Forum 2019
Monday August 05, 2019
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Roadmap to success Up close with Thailand's new Ministers
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Worachai Bhicharnchitr, vice chairman of the board of directors, the Bangkok Post Group, welcomes the ministers and participants.
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Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said Every project must be transparent and accountable:
• Public buses will be powered by electricity in the future for clean energy
• Passenger capacity must be increased at Suvarnabhumi
• Don Mueang and other regional airports
• We will reduce the expressway toll" after a 15-baht flat-rate policy on the mass transit system.
• The Transport Ministry will regulate all modes of public transport, including all ride-hailing services.They will also be taxed under Thai law.
• Water transport for trucks between Prachuap Khiri Khan and Bangkok will alleviate the congestion on Rama II Road.
• Water, land and rail transportation will be promoted under his tenure.
Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakiprakarn said his ministry will focus on:
• Promoting foreign independent tourists as they are a rising trend in the tourism sector.
• We want to host other world sports tournaments such as running events" to attract world-class athletes and more visitors to Thailand including MotoGP, and medical tourism also on the agenda of the Tourism and Sports Ministry.
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit:
• Prices for rice, cassavas, palm oil, rubber and maize will be guaranteed.
• "Urgent actions" needed to address impacts from the trade war on Thai exports.
Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul:
• The Public Health Ministry will authorise doctors to prescribe cannabis extracts within this week.
• The legalisation of cannabis is to use only for medical purposes through research and development.
• There will be nurses and doctors stationed in all district hospitals.
• The Public Health Ministry will provide sufficient healthcare services to people, especially the needy.
Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit:
• The Finance Ministry needs to find ways to tax e-commerce businesses, including those based overseas.
• Thailand under the present administration will upgrade industrial standards to strengthen the foundation of the economy.
• SME Bank will play a key role for better credit access for small- and medium-sized enterprises.
• Thailand needs to tap benefits from the trade war between the US and China by coming up with "smart strategies" to draw investors to the country
Energy Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong:
• One of my priorities is to invest in energy storage technology to make energy cheaper.
• Energy will not be "monopolised" by big businesses and communities will play a part in supplying energy to the country.
• Thailand will be a new energy trading platform in Asean.
• The Energy Ministry will implement the "Energy for All" policy to benefit all groups of people in the country.
• With the PM chairing the economic minister meeting, the government can drive the economy forward.
• Energy Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong: PPRP will work closely with other parties on the economic policies.
• Energy Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong: the government will speed up the use of renewable energy.
Finance Minister Uttama Savanaya:
• This elected government will be "special" as it can drive the country forward.
• The coalition government can be fine-tuned for collaboration.
• Thailand will rise again as a key player in the region.
• E-commerce tax and other tax regimes are needed to promote investment, support small-scale businesses and ensure equality in the country.
• The Finance Ministry also prepares to deliver another package of welfare to all age groups.
• Finance Ministry will expand the Thailand Future Fund initiated by the previous government to invest more in infrastructure, including digital infrastructure, so that Thailand will not lack behind other countries.
• Government has a set of measures prepared to cope with short-term and long-term volatilities.
• Thailand has to strengthen ourselves internally to cope with external challenges and global uncertainty, including the looming trade war.
• 19 parties in the coalition government will not pose a problem for the administration.