Kittiratt says blocking fund flows not the solution

SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2013
Kittiratt says blocking fund flows not the solution

Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong said Saturday he does not wish to see state agencies implement any drastic measures to block fund flows to stem the strengthening of the baht.

He said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra had instructed economic agencies such as the Bank of Thailand (BOT) to handle the baht’s value carefully.
“I believe concerned agencies will use extra caution, because we have already learned a lesson that blocking fund flows affects investors’ confidence. If there is no alternative, the measure may be necessary, but we do have other alternatives – for instance helping investors to seek opportunities in new markets such as in Japan,” said Kittiratt, who is also deputy prime minister.
The Nation