ID :
27807
Fri, 10/31/2008 - 21:47
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/27807
The shortlink copeid
Thai PM orders faster action in implementing mega-projects
BANGKOK, Oct 31 (TNA) - Concern over the global financial crisis, which
has started affecting the Thai economy, prompted Prime Minister Somchai
Wongsawat to order concerned government agencies on Friday to accelerate
Thailand's long-delayed mega-projects, aimed at easing traffic congestion
in the capital and surrounding areas, a deputy government spokeswoman
said.
Suparat Nakboonnam said Mr. Somchai told economic ministers during the
meeting that disbursement of government budget and spending on
mega-projects is now seen as vital as it could create employment and
revenue for related industries such as construction.
The prime minister urged concerned government agencies to speed up work on
the mass transit rail systems which would cover most of metropolitan
Bangkok and surrounding areas, to improve urban communication and ease
traffic congestion, Ms. Suparat said.
Under the government's plan, it would invest about Bt209 billion on the
previously-announced five routes of the mass transit rail systems as the
government believes that investment could help Thailand's economy recover.
Permanent Secretary for Finance Suparat Kawatkul told the meeting that
investment in mega-projects between 2009-2012 would total Bt1.8 trillion.
Mr. Suparat said construction costs for the mass transit rail system alone
would total Bt340 billion in 2009 of which the government already has
Bt280 billion while another Bt63 billion would come from the government's
central budget of Bt100 billion.
He said the Chinese government has pledged to offer loans to Thailand
amounting to US$400 million, to help finance the mega-projects.
Transport Minister Santi Promphat reportedly told the meeting that
Bangkok's integrated mass transit rail system is delayed due to strict
laws and objections on conditions from the Office of the Auditor-General
and the Office of the National Counter Corruption Commission.
But Mr. Somchai said any project which concerned government agencies are
confident that it is transparent and free of corruption charges,
construction should go ahead because the parliament committee will also
monitor the project and its spending, besides the two agencies.
Mr. Somchai will on November 5 meet with a number of committees
responsible with the mega-projects for discussions of the details.
The government's move to speed the mega-projects comes after the
Federation of Thai Industries earlier this week predicted that the ongoing
financial crisis, sparked by the US and which has spread to Europe, would
reduce new jobs in Thailand in 2009 by about one million. (TNA)
has started affecting the Thai economy, prompted Prime Minister Somchai
Wongsawat to order concerned government agencies on Friday to accelerate
Thailand's long-delayed mega-projects, aimed at easing traffic congestion
in the capital and surrounding areas, a deputy government spokeswoman
said.
Suparat Nakboonnam said Mr. Somchai told economic ministers during the
meeting that disbursement of government budget and spending on
mega-projects is now seen as vital as it could create employment and
revenue for related industries such as construction.
The prime minister urged concerned government agencies to speed up work on
the mass transit rail systems which would cover most of metropolitan
Bangkok and surrounding areas, to improve urban communication and ease
traffic congestion, Ms. Suparat said.
Under the government's plan, it would invest about Bt209 billion on the
previously-announced five routes of the mass transit rail systems as the
government believes that investment could help Thailand's economy recover.
Permanent Secretary for Finance Suparat Kawatkul told the meeting that
investment in mega-projects between 2009-2012 would total Bt1.8 trillion.
Mr. Suparat said construction costs for the mass transit rail system alone
would total Bt340 billion in 2009 of which the government already has
Bt280 billion while another Bt63 billion would come from the government's
central budget of Bt100 billion.
He said the Chinese government has pledged to offer loans to Thailand
amounting to US$400 million, to help finance the mega-projects.
Transport Minister Santi Promphat reportedly told the meeting that
Bangkok's integrated mass transit rail system is delayed due to strict
laws and objections on conditions from the Office of the Auditor-General
and the Office of the National Counter Corruption Commission.
But Mr. Somchai said any project which concerned government agencies are
confident that it is transparent and free of corruption charges,
construction should go ahead because the parliament committee will also
monitor the project and its spending, besides the two agencies.
Mr. Somchai will on November 5 meet with a number of committees
responsible with the mega-projects for discussions of the details.
The government's move to speed the mega-projects comes after the
Federation of Thai Industries earlier this week predicted that the ongoing
financial crisis, sparked by the US and which has spread to Europe, would
reduce new jobs in Thailand in 2009 by about one million. (TNA)
