Another debt moratorium awaits Cabinet's approval

 Deputy Finance Minister Tanusak Lek-uthai said that after the Cabinet's approval, registration would start from May 2.
 "This is in line with the government's election campaign," he said. 
 Two options are being mulled. First, a 3-year moratorium on the entire principal and a lower interest rate. Second, 3-year reduction in interest rate with continued principal repayment. Participating banks would be compensated for the extra cost. Tanusak said that the compensation could be addressed by the annual budget or a to-be-established fund.
 Debtors qualified for the debt moratorium would mostly be farmers and low-income earners who show excellent repayment track records.
 Earlier, the ministry offered a similar help to state banks' debtors who could not finance their debts. Under the scheme, about 350,000 debtors have applied for the assistance.
 According to Tanusak, the non-performing clients can join the new programme, on the condition that their existing debts must be repaid first.
 "This new measure will include a possibility that the banks may extend additional loans for the clients, accordingly to their ability to repay," he said.