Government plans on houses for low-income earners

BANGKOK, Oct 17 (TNA) -- The government has joined forces with real estate developers to construct houses for low-income earners. Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak and Finance Minister Apisak Tantivorawong on Friday held talks with representatives of state-run banks including the Government Savings Bank, Krung Thai Bank and the Government Housing Bank plus three associations of real estate developer. Mr Apisak told journalists that Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-ocha has an idea to assist low-income earners or those earning about 10,000 baht monthly to own a house by paying around 3,000 – 4,000 baht in monthly installment. The house would cost between 500,000 – 600,000 baht for these people. He said the state-run National Housing Authority has been the only government-run agency in building houses for low-income earners in the past and it may be insufficient, therefore, the government has decided to invite the private sector to join in the programme. The private sector has already set aside a budget for corporate social responsibility and it has been asked to furnish this housing project within one month, said Mr Apisak. He said the government would soon discuss tax incentives for the real estate developers engaging in this programme. Land which will be used in constructing houses will be owned by the State Railway of Thailand or other state enterprises, Mr Apisak added. (TNA)