Dems attack Govt on overseas trips
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Democrat spokesman Chavanon Intharakomalsut on Saturday attacked the Yingluck Shinawatra government on the "massive but unfruitful" spending on overseas trips.
He said that since taking office, Yingluck has been to 45 countries, which required total spending of Bt370 million.
He added the trips, aimed at boosting trade and investment, could not produce the results. His data showed that Thailand registered trade deficits of Bt274.7 billion and 730.57 billion in 2011 and 2012, respectively. He also said during the first 7 months of this year, the deficit was tuned at Bt593 billion.
However, according to the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board, Thailand enjoyed trade surplus of $8.34 billion or Bt260.7 billion in 2012. Trade surplus in 2011 was tuned at $16.99 billion or Bt514.8 billion.
