Thai PM chairs women’s development fund programme

BANGKOK, February 18 (TNA) - Praising women for their role in developing Thailand, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said Thursday that the women’s development fund programme, sponsored by her government, is urgent for implementation as it will help create a better welfare and leadership for them. Speaking while presiding over a seminar on the programme, held at Bangkok's Government House, Yingluck revealed that each province will receive 100 million baht and the fund will offer either low-interest or no-interest on loans which will be used for developing occupations, creating jobs and generating income for local women. The prime minister acknowledged that the fund will also help create women welfare, roles and leadership in the society, and that a committee will be set up to oversee the programme. The women’s development fund programme is one of the ruling Pheu Thai Party's major policies announced during its electoral campaigns for Thailand's general election on July 3 2011. Premier Yingluck suggested that Thai women learn and perform duty like Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, who will celebrate her 80th birthday on August 12, 2012, saying that the new fund is set up in recognition of Her Majesty the Queen’s untiring performance and devotion for her subjects. (TNA)