Govt focuses on rebuilding

The government announced yesterday that it was setting up two “strategic committees” to help rebuild the country and restore investor confidence.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said the committees for Reconstruction and Future Development, and Water Resources Manage-ment, would help rebuild confidence, regain trust and restore the country’s prosperity and stability in order to “prevent this nightmare from recurring”.

“The two committees will work together to determine the amount of investment required for the long term, sources of funding and how it will be spent. We will have to stimulate the economy for recovery,” the prime minister said.

She was speaking at a press conference held at Government House to discuss “strategic measures for post-flood national rehabilitation”.

Yingluck said the 15-member panel on national reconstruction and future development would be chaired by former finance minister Veerapong Ramangura, while the 24-member panel on water resources management would be led by Commerce Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong. The second committee will have Dr Sumet Tantivejkul, secretary-general of royal Chai Pattana Foundation, as special adviser.

Veerapong’s panel will include leaders of the Federation of Thai Industries, the Thai Chamber of Commerce, Thai Bankers Association, as well as the National Economic and Social Development Board. Kittiratt’s committee, meanwhile, will include experts on water management such as Pramote Maiklad, Seri Suparathit and Anont Snidwong na Ayudhya.

Veerapong said he would focus on rebuilding the trust and confidence of foreign investors who might be considering pulling out due to the floods. 

The prime minister has also promised urgent government measures to restore confidence in Thailand.

“We can’t stay idle. It’s a national agenda to invite experienced persons to help solve the problem so that Thailand can move forward. The government will take urgent measures to restore confidence in the country and help it progress. We will rebuild Thailand together. It’s time for us to unite for national recovery,” Yingluck said.

She said the government’s strategies in tackling the “historic flood crisis” – which she blamed on a series of rainstorms – could be divided into three stages: the initial “rescue”, “restore” in the short term and “rebuild” for the long term.

The “rescue” job is the responsibility of the Flood Relief Operations Centre led by Justice Minister Pracha Promnok. 

The “restore” phase will be put in place over the next year by a committee led by Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit, that would be responsible for rehabilitation, compensation and restoration of individuals and businesses affected by the floods.

The long-term job of “rebuild” – beginning immediately after the floods recede – would come under the two strategic committees, the premier said.

A source from the ruling Pheu Thai Party said Yingluck’s brother, fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, had persuaded Veerapong to chair the panel on post-flood reconstruction. A respected finance expert, Veerapong is seen as a figure with the credibility to deal with foreign countries about possible loans for future projects.

It is also likely that Veerapong will become part of the new Cabinet after a reshuffle once the flood crisis subsides, the source said. 

Replying to a question from a Japanese journalist, Veerapong said yesterday that he was planning to go to Tokyo to meet leaders of the Keidanren (Japan’s federation of economic organisations), the International Trade and Industry Ministry as well as the country’s finance minister.

“I will ask them what can be done for [Japanese investors in Thailand] and will use the information, ideas and assistance from Japan to help us achieve our goals in a year from now,” he said. 

In addition to Yingluck and Veerapong, Pracha, Yongyuth and Kittiratt were also present at yesterday’s press briefing, at which the premier admitted that the authorities could not stop the run-offs from hitting Bangkok. However, she said, officials could help divert the water into rivers, canals and the sea as quickly as possible.

She added that the government also had rehabilitation measures to help farmers, labourers and small businesses recover. 

“We will announce a package next week and have a plan for every segment, such as farmers, SMEs and small businesses, and employees,” she said, adding that people whose homes were damaged by the flooding would also be compensated. 

While visiting an affected area in Ayutthaya later yesterday, a tearful Yingluck told the residents that she was moved by their endurance over the past month.