Thailand’s government on Tuesday denied that the extension of its State of Emergency decree has anything to do with politics.
“These decisions were mainly based on public health considerations, they have never been made on political reasons,” said Government Spokeswoman Naruemon Pinyosinwat.
“The SOE is still needed to ensure the unity, the fast responsiveness and efficiency of government agencies during the current situation. We cannot use the Communicable Diseases Act as the only tool to fix the problem,” she said.
Naruemon said the prime minister also wanted the public to remain vigilant as the country eases more lockdown measures.
1.9 trillion baht loan
Naruemon said concerns that the opposition had over the government’s 1.9 trillion baht loan to fight the coronavirus were unfounded
The PM has stressed that the disbursement of the loan will be transparent with the help of digital technology, Naruemon said.
“The government will make available the information on all projects that are related to the emergency loan on an electronic system so that all parties can check on the details of all the projects online,” she said.
The parliament is set to welcome back parliament on Wednesday.
The first agenda will be the debate on four emergency decrees, including the 3 emergency loans worth 1.9 trillion baht.
Other measures
The cabinet on Tuesday approved the drafting of the 2021 fiscal budget worth 3.3 trillion baht.
The Bureau of the Budget will now draft the 2021 fiscal budget bill before proposing it to the cabinet on June 16.
The cabinet also approved the setting up of a “superboard” with nine members to monitor Thai Airways International (THAI)’s restructuring plan. The new board will be led by Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.
The full list of members are:
- Wissanu Krea-ngam, Deputy Prime Minister, as Chair
- Apisak Tantiworawong, Former Finance Minister
- Prasong Poontaneat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance
- Chaiwat Tongkamkoon, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport
- Chayathan Promsorn, Director of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning
- Wiisit Wisitsoraat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice
- Pakorn Nilprapunt, Deputy Secretary-General of the Council of State
- Ruenvadee Suwanmongkol, Secretary-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission
- Prapas Kong-Ied, Director-general of the State Enterprise Policy Office
(Additional Reporting by James Wilson)
