Outgoing FTI chair urges government to improve water management

BANGKOK, March 17 (TNA) -- Supant Mongkolsuthree, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), pointed out that Thai people were suffering from drought and global economic problems, so the government should postpone high-speed railway projects and invest in water management first. Mr Supant whose term as the FTI chair will end mid next month said on Wednesday that drought affected the majority of Thai people and the overall economy but the government invested little in improving water management and the prevention of floods and water shortages. The government should review its policies and shift its focus from railway projects including high-speed trains to water management, he said. "The ongoing drought depresses everyone and spending is falling. So water is very important. There were 350-billion-baht plans to improve water systems but they become quiet. The focus is on railways," Mr Supant said. He also expressed concerns about Thai export this year because of global economic slowdowns. Surapong Paisitpattanapong, FTI vice chairman and spokesman of FTI's Automotive Industry Club, said that in February the country produced 166,412 vehicles, down 7.11% year-on-year, exported 104,712 vehicles, down 3.2%, and sold 57,090 vehicles locally, down 10.7%. It produced 206,468 motorcycles in February, down 14.36% year-on-year. From January to February, the country produced 314,063 vehicles, down 9.32% year-on-year, sold 108,911 units locally, down 11.9%, and exported 198,426 vehicles, dropping 1.09%. However, the value of automotive and auto parts export stood at 145.55 billion baht, rising 13.95%. The country exported 157,948 motorcycles, down 9.24%, but the export value rose 32.57% to 12.39 billion baht. "The export value rose because Thailand exported more big bikes and pickup passenger vehicles that are more expensive than eco cars. There are concerns that the global economy will grow by less than 3% and it is uncertain that Thai export growth will meet its target. The Automotive Industry Club is monitoring it and may review production and export figures," Mr Surapong said. The club earlier predicted Thailand will produce two million vehicles this year on the condition that the global economy grows by 3%. Of them, 750,000-780,000 will be sold locally and 1.22-1.25 million will be exported. (TNA)