Govt under pressure over economic issues

AFTER a year and a half in office, the government continues to face complaints of economic hardship from a diverse group of people.

At yesterday’s exhibition at Government House showcasing its work over the past year, Thitiyapron Moungnoi, a civil servant at the Public Health Ministry, said the economy was getting worse, citing complaints from her relatives doing business.

She said it was difficult to get bank loans, while sales were soft because consumers want to save satang.

Donnachorn Pingpasana, who works for an export-oriented company, said the firm was also struggling and worried that the economy would take a hit if there were no recovery of the export sector, which contributes as much as 70 per cent of gross domestic product.

Lamiad Tosanee, a rice farmer from Nonthaburi, said prices of agricultural products were dropping and farmers had expenses to pay, so the government should manage this problem.

“I also faced a water shortage this year. While the government has been trying to help by encouraging me to change crops from rice temporarily, I’m not sure that would fully compensate for my previous income.”

Housewife Chamaiporn Srisukho-thapit said she could see some examples of government work at this exhibition.

“I could also see more peace and an atmosphere of reconciliation, but I think we still have to wait and see whether the government can eventually manage the proposed reform agenda.”

The reform initiative was supported by Samran Rattanapitak, who is unemployed and hopes the country will be reformed comprehensively.

“There have been so many crimes around my place. I want more police to be stationed. But overall, I like this government. I don’t have a problem with the absence of elections and I want [the military-led regime] to stay as long as possible.”

However, Pornlapat Sawangroj, another civil servant of the Public Health Ministry, said the country should return to democracy soon and hold a general election.

“I’m happy with faster work at government agencies and the country seems to enjoy more political stability. Things should be settled once there is an election.”

Academic Sirote Kalmpaiboon said the government had not achieved anything tangible and notable so far after more than a year in office.

Based on speeches given by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, deputy PMs and ministers, it appears the government has focused on routine work rather than long-term policies.

Prayut also talks mainly about his ideas for administration rather than explaining the government’s performance, he said.

“The government’s most notable work is protecting the royal institution,” the academic said. “But its economic performance is still unclear. The government keeps issuing reports to gain trust but the actual figures say otherwise.”

The government is also unclear about tackling social inequalities, he said, adding that the reform agenda takes a lot of time to carry out.

For Rangsit University lecturer Suriyasai Katasila, the reform agenda still lacks focus and there has been little concrete progress so far.

“I can see progress in the government’s attempt to deal with illegal fishing practices, lottery prices and slave labour. But for administrative decentralisation, resource management and poverty amelioration at the structural level, I think the government has to do more.”

The global economic slowdown could help explain Thailand’s sluggish economy this year, but the situation is likely to change in the new year, Suriyasai said.