| Azlan Othman |
THAI Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha in his two-and-a-half hour keynote address at a recent ‘Bangkok Post Forum’, made two promises: To make Thailand a developed nation by 2036 and to stay in office to lead the effort.
The forum, which carried the theme ‘Moving Thailand Forward’, was held at Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao.
General Prayut said his current task is to map out the country’s reform process to transform Thailand into a ‘developed country’ over the next 20 years.
The government’s ambitious plan targets a broad set of reforms in a variety of fields including human resources (and human capital), education and social reconciliation to spur a shift towards innovative technologies.
“The plan will take advantage of Thailand’s geography to transform it into a regional connectivity centre,” said General Prayut, adding that “These measures are aimed at assisting Thailand to escape the middle income trap and become a developed country by 2036.”
General Prayut did not reject the possibility of becoming the next prime minister after elections next year, stressing his current priority as prime minister was to follow his political roadmap.
“There is no need to discuss if I will become the next prime minister or not because that is a matter for the future.
“Right now the important thing is to get to the elections next year to allow the people of Thailand to decide what they want,” he said.
General Prayut noted during the forum that national unity is a key goal that must be achieved, admitting much work is still needed to improve the political environment. He said his job was to balance politicians’ interests with public expectations.
He also admitted the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in 2016 might be below original expectations.
Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha delivering his keynote address. – AZLAN OTHMAN
“Our economic development over the past 30 years was the problem. There is a need for an overhaul of the economy and we have to move Thailand forward so the important thing is a long-term national development plan,” he said.
General Prayut also revealed that the military government had spent the last two years boosting GDP growth from 0.8 per cent in 2014 to 2.8 per cent in 2015 and to 3.2 per cent in the first quarter of this year.
“GDP growth by the end of the year should be around 3.5 per cent,” he said
General Prayut explained that the four guidelines to rebuild the economy include strengthening the economy at the grassroots level via measures such as the village fund policy that finances projects and businesses at the grassroots village level.
Second is the promotion of ‘Thailand Connect’ by connecting domestic transport systems and creating transport links with countries such as China, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar and India via rail, land, air and water links.
Third is pushing the ‘Thailand 4.0’ model to transition from heavy industry towards a value-based economy based on technology, knowledge, creativity and innovation.
He also identified five future industries, or the ‘new S curve’, which consists of robotics, aviation/logistics, biofuels/biochemicals, the digital industry and medical services.
Fourth is the Eastern Economic Corridor project to build on the success of the Eastern Seaboard by creating special economic zones (SEZs) in border areas and linking Bangkok, Laem Chabang port, Map Ta Phut industrial area and Rayong via road transport systems, airports and ports.
The post Reform process to transform Thailand in 20 years: PM appeared first on Borneo Bulletin Online.