Thai Cabinet extends free transportation, rice pledging scheme

BANGKOK, March 31 (TNA) - The Thai cabinet has approved the extension of free bus and train services for another six months until the end of September, to help needy passengers. At least 2 billion baht would be allocated to the debt-ridden Bangkok Mass Transit Authority and the State Railway of Thailand for the free services. The Thai government added on Sunday it would set aside another 105 billion baht for its rice pledging scheme to assist farmers during the 2012-2013 season. However, this would target only seven million tonnes of cultivated rice, down from the initial target of 9.167 million tonnes due to the severe drought. In a press briefing after Sunday’s mobile cabinet meeting, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra also called for the creation of “green industries” around Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Yingluck also revealed plans to develop Chachoengsao into a goods distribution centre, Nakhon Nayok, an agricultural and cultural area for tourists, Sa Kaeo, a trading area with neighbouring Cambodia, and Prachin Buri, a centre for traditional Thai herbs and medicine. (TNA)