Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha asked for Thai Airways International (THAI) personnel and related unions to cooperate in order to avoid further layoffs.
“They have to work together or else the organization will not be able to continue and they will end up unemployed, without money, [and] without income, which is a complete failure and I do not want it to get to that point,” Prayut said.
After the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, however, he said that senior members of the government have yet to discuss in detail the rehabilitation plan for THAI.
He also urged everyone to stop speculating on the future of the flagship carrier.
The State Enterprise Policy Office already has a plan but it needs to be approved by the Ministry of Transportation before it can enter the cabinet, according to Prayut.
“I am asking for cooperation from every related parties because the issue has to be fixed; and your organization employs more than 20,000 people [and it] will immediately be in trouble,” he said.
“If you do not help each other, who will help you? I do not have any disagreement with anyone there and I have never had any mutual benefits with THAI,” he added.
Prayut also denied that the government planned to bail out the airline with a loan and a guarantee from the Ministry of Finance.
Earlier reports said that parts of SEPO’s rehabilitation plan for THAI included a loan worth 50 billion baht and a divestment from the loss making state-owned enterprise.
More or less lockdown
Prayut said the government will conduct a survey to check if businesses are following the appropriate safety measures. The results will decide if they should continue easing its lockdown restrictions from May 15 onwards.
He also reminded businesses that if they fail to comply, another option of stricter measures is still possible.
“Whatever can be reopened can be shut down again as well,” he said. “I have to say it this way or else people will forget to cooperate or continue to practicing social distancing measures.”
Prayut, however, denied that the government created a public poll on whether to continue with easing lockdown measures or not.
“Thai people have to work together to fix the Covid-19 problem and to support [our] recovery,” he said. “Once we pass all of this, all sides will still have to work together and I ask for no more chaotic movements after this.”
He urged people to avoid protesting against the government right now.
The cash handout scheme provided by the government was not created for any political reason. Its purpose is to help the people, added Prayut.
“We will survive this together with unity and sharing, and that is Thailand’s new normal.”
The Ministry of Labour also told the cabinet on Tuesday that more than 1 million insurers have filed for unemployment benefits from the social security system between March 24 and May 7.
