Optimistic views over new cabinet ministers

BANGKOK, Dec 17 (TNA) -- Senior business executives and academics have expressed optimism over the new cabinet of Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-ocha, especially on ministers tasked with economic related matters, saying they would help move Thailand’s economy forward. Gen Prayut has decided to adopt a major cabinet reshuffle after two of his ministers have been appointed privy councilors. The reshuffle was announced late Friday and became effective immediately. Surapong Paisitpattanapong, spokesman of Federation of Thai Industries’ Automotive Industry Club, said several of the newly appointed ministers used to work under Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak who is responsible for the country’s economic affairs and they possess vast experience as they have earlier worked at several ministries. These new ministers responsible for economic-related issues could help in moving economic growth, said Mr Surapong. Under the latest reshuffle, Chutima Boonyaprapasara, a former permanent secretary for Commerce, is appointed deputy minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives; Pichit Akrathit, a business executive, is named deputy transport minister; and another businessman Sonthirat Sonthijirawong is appointed deputy commerce minister. Meanwhile, Montri Sokatiyanurak, an executive at National Institute of Development Administration, said that several of newly appointed ministers responsible for the country’s economic matter, have produced economic measures in the past but have yet to be implemented. From now on, these measures have to be implemented so that they could benefit economic system, said Mr Montri. There is still more than one trillion baht for the government to invest in several projects and the investment money could boost economy, he said, adding that it is difficult to depend on the private sector now because of production capacity which stands at only 64 per cent, leaving an unemployment problem in the country. (TNA)