National roadmap, development plan boost Thai economy

BANGKOK, March 22 (TNA) - The National Roadmap and the 12th National Economic and Social Development Plan (2017-2021) have driven Thailand forward in many areas, especially the national economic expansion. Thosaporn Sirisumphand, Secretary General of the Office of the National Economic and Social Development (NESDB), told journalists on March 21 that the National Roadmap, implemented by the military government over the past five years and the 12th national development plan, tailored by NESDB, have particularly strengthened the Thai economy, seen by the country's gross domestic product (GDP) has grown higher than the average GDP growth projected in the 11th plan and the national economy has become stable. The NESDB chief acknowledged that during the first two years of the present 12th national development plan, Thailand's GDP has expanded by 4.1 per cent on average, higher than its average 3 per cent and 3.5 per cent growth during the 10th and the 11th plans. Besides, the ratio of public debt/GDP in Thailand at the end of last year stood at 41.9 per cent, lower than the targeted figure of 55 per cent on average throughout the five-year 12th plan. The NESDB chief expressed his confidence that Thailand's GDP could further grow by 5 per cent on average in the coming years, boosted mainly by the mega-public infrastructure investment plans and those in the country's Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). The NESDB chief proposed, however, that Thailand's pending problems on the more balanced income distribution and the income disparity need to be further addressed. The NESDB chief stated, meanwhile, that Thailand's social development has also been on well-progress, so, has the development in other areas, suggesting, nonetheless, that the country's development of human capital, through education, and public health and sanitation be further improved. According to the NESDB chief, his office and other relevant agencies are tasked with jointly working out a report on the updated national economic and social development conditions to be later submitted to the newly-elected Thai government, after the country's new general election on this coming Sunday, March 24. (TNA)