Somkid asked to submit economic measures to cabinet

BANGKOK, August 29 (TNA) -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-ocha said he had asked Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak to present economic measures to boost sluggish economy in Thailand during a weekly cabinet meeting next Tuesday. Admitting that economic measures did not move satisfactorily in his previous cabinet, Gen Prayut said the new measures would provide government care at every level in society. He has also thanked every sector to have confidence in Mr Somkid in moving Thailand’s economy forward. Gen Prayut said he would continue to work for the country although his popularity has declined. Mr Somkid, who was appointed deputy prime minister responsible for national economic affairs last week, has said he would push for a topping up the government-sponsored Village Fund programme, offering soft loans to small – and medium-sized enterprises, and small-scale rural development projects. Gen Prayut also said his government is still determined to file lawsuit against some ministers and officials involved in the previous government-sponsored rice pledging scheme which had caused heavy losses to the country. Concerned officials are gathering evidence so that those involved in the scheme would be punished, he added. (TNA)