Thai government's budget in line with national strategies

BANGKOK, June 1 (TNA) - The Thai government’s budget expenditure for the 2014 fiscal year, proposed to amount 2.525 trillion baht, will help raise people’s income and narrow income and social disparity in the country, based on new national strategies in the lead-up to the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), set to be formed by 2015. Making the remarks during the weekly TV and radio programme of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra Saturday morning, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office Varathep Ratanakorn told the public that the Thai government’s expenditure for the 2014 fiscal year, starting from October 1, 2013, is expected to help circulate money among people in the upcountry to improve their livelihood. Regarding to the government's empowerment the Ministry of Finance to borrow about two trillion baht to fund its new mega transport infrastructure projects nationwide, Varathep affirmed that the incumbent Thai government's massive borrowing plan is transparent and will be spent efficiently. According to the minister, the Thai House's debate on the fiscal 2014 draft budget bill for its second and final readings is expected within August so that the draft bill will be approved by the Parliament timely for the beginning of the 2014 fiscal year. (TNA)