Policy Statement
of the Government of
Mr. Samak Sundaravej, Prime Minister,
to the National Assembly,
Monday 18 February B.E. 2551 (2008)
Respected Speaker of Parliament,
Pursuant to the gracious royal appointment of myself as Prime Minister, according to the Royal Command dated 29 January 2008, and of the Cabinet, according to the Royal Command dated 6 February 2008;
The Cabinet has now completed the formulation of its policies on the administration of state affairs, based on democratic parliamentary rule with the King as Head of State, and encompassing the fundamental policy approach stipulated in Chapter 5 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand. The Cabinet therefore wishes to declare the said policies to this joint session of the National Assembly, to apprise the latter of the intent, strategy and policy of the Government, which is committed to building stability, security and progress in economic, social and political and administrative development, and fostering reconciliation for the benefit and happiness of the nation and all Thai people.
Respected Speaker of Parliament,
The Thai economy this year will face at least two serious problems from the global economy: the subprime lending problem of an economic superpower, which has affected financial markets and the economies of other countries around the world; and the problem of crude oil prices on the world market, which are on an upward trend and creating inflationary pressure on the world, including Thailand.
Apart from these immediate problems, the Government also has other important tasks in laying the groundwork for stable and sustainable growth, and supporting the ability of the manufacturing and services sectors to shift towards higher-value-added manufacturing and services to enhance competitiveness, a long-term structural challenge for the country. On the social and environmental fronts, Thai society will start to become an aging society in 2009, and the Thai population, from children to the elderly, is in the position of having to adapt to a knowledge-based society under globalization, even as global warming, natural disasters and natural resource and environmental issues become increasingly important for the economy and quality of life.
Over the next four years, the Government will look after both short and long-term problems, and is committed to the administration of the country under two main principles, which the Government is confident will contribute to the sustainability of the Thai economy and society, as well as establish confidence among Thai and foreign investors and the international community.
First is the fostering of reconciliation among all Thais, who will have to work together in guiding the country through various crises and building a secure foundation for the country's future. This fostering of reconciliation includes the important matter of resolving and healing the problems in the three southern border provinces, leading towards peaceful co-existence and harmony among the local people, and developing the economic potential of the country's South so that it becomes a significant national economic base.
Second is creating balance and immunity for the national economy, which involves all policy aspects, from development of ethical and knowledgeable people, support for long-term savings, promotion of the New Theory of agriculture in suitable areas, step-by-step development of communities that are self-reliant and linked to markets, to the building of energy security, supervision of capital flows, and enhancing the ability to utilize and build on technology in a manner compatible with Thai wisdom, so as to lead to innovation and income generation for the economic system in line with the Sufficiency Economy philosophy, which is the Government's main approach in performing its work according to the fundamental policy approach of the state.
Besides these two principles, the present Constitution attaches importance to public participation in national development and check-and-balance mechanisms to monitor the performance of the public sector to ensure compliance with the principles of good governance. The Government recognizes the importance of this, and will abide by it in carrying out its work.
Respected Speaker of Parliament,
The Government has set key policies for the administration of state affairs to be carried out in two phases: in the urgent term, which requires that work be started in the first year; and throughout the four-year tenure of the Government, as follows:
1. Urgent policies to be carried out in the first year
The Government considers it an urgent necessity to establish harmony and reconciliation in society, suppress narcotic drugs, build investor confidence, revitalize the economy, redress the poverty problem, develop the grassroots economy to enhance its income generating potential, reduce expenditures, create sustainable job opportunities for the people, in particular farmers, labour and small and medium enterprises, and tackle urgent environmental problems. Key policies are to:
1.1 Establish harmony and reconciliation among the nation's people and restore democracy by enhancing the common understanding among the nation's people to foster cohesiveness and solidarity, and abiding by democratic rule with the King as Head of State, to foster cooperation in solving the country's crisis and build political, administrative, social and economic stability, with the people's benefit and happiness as the prime consideration, which will form a secure basis for the country's further sustainable development.
1.2 Resolve the unrest in the southern border provinces by applying His Majesty's approach of “understand, reach, develop” in carrying out security and development efforts, by ensuring congruence with particular local conditions, way of life, culture and popular beliefs, as well as dispensing fairness and justice by emphasizing the participation of all sectors to bring about peace and order, safety of life and property, and build peace and reconciliation in the region as quickly as possible.
1.3 Expedite resolution of the narcotic drugs problem and clamp down on influential persons by adhering to the principle that “Addicts are patients who need treatment, while traffickers need to be punished according to the judicial process.” The Government will expedite the suppression of drug trafficking, reduction in the number of drug abusers, and prevent at-risk groups from falling victim to drugs. This would involve cooperation from the local community in conjunction with suppression and just application of law enforcement measures. Legal and judicial measures will be used to cut off all channels for influential persons to acquire ill-gotten gains, whether through illegal logging, drug trafficking, human trafficking or gambling operations, for example.
1.4 Pursue measures to resolve pressing problems faced by people and business operators by maintaining the stability of the baht, prices for consumer goods, and energy prices, at a level that is suitable and fair for both producers and consumers, and arrange for the sales of affordably-priced products to alleviate the suffering of low-income earners.
1.5 Increase the potential of village and urban community funds so that they are a source of revolving funds for investment, employment and vocation generation, income generation and expenditure reduction for people living in communities and for small household enterprises; develop village and urban community funds that have good management to be upgraded to village and community banks.
1.6 Allocate budgets for all villages and communities by population size (Small, Medium, Large - SML) to create opportunities for communities to solve their own problems and develop projects that will generate sustainable revenue, develop community assets, conserve and protect natural resources and the environment in the community in a manner that would efficiently link resource usage among the state, localities and provinces.
1.7 Resume the People's Bank project to improve access of low-income individuals to sources of funds, create funding alternatives and reduce reliance on informal sources of credit, which would give people the opportunity to create employment and generate their own revenue.
1.8 Support the extension of credit to owners of small and medium sized enterprises and community enterprises to create opportunities for employment and revenue generation, utilizing state financial institutions and the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand.
1.9 Improve the management efficiency of the One Tambon One Product project to enable each community to utilize its resources and local knowledge in developing their products. The Government stands ready to improve the access of communities to new know-how and funding sources, as well as enhance the management and marketing capabilities of communities in order to link local products with national and overseas markets.
1.10 Suspend the debt of small and low-income farmers who have passed the occupational rehabilitation process, to create opportunities for farmers to raise their living standards by having a secure income and livelihood.
1.11 Create a risk insurance scheme for farmers to reduce risk due to damage from natural disasters, and build mechanisms to maintain price stability, at a fair level, for agricultural products.
1.12 Expand the role of the community fix-it centre and vocational training institutes to provide advice and transfer of knowledge in the use, maintenance and repair of occupational equipment and household appliances, and create networks of such centers with communities and businesses to prompt development of innovations and basic quality control and certification systems for community products.
1.13 Create opportunities for the people to have their own housing, for example, the Compassionate Housing, State Welfare Housing and First Home of One's Own projects, particularly in areas where there are transportation linkages between Bangkok and its environs through rapid mass transit systems.
1.14 Expedite the country's important investments, such as the development of the nine rapid mass transit rail lines in Bangkok and its environs, high speed trains, double-tracked trains, commuter trains and “fishbone” railway networks connecting provinces without passenger and cargo rail service, and improving the capabilities of international airports, for example, to build confidence to drive the economy forward continuously and improve the country's competitiveness.
1.15 Take measures to reduce the impact of energy prices by speeding up projects promoting the use of alternative energy from natural gas and biofuels such as gasohol and biodiesels; accelerating energy conservation measures and efficient energy use to reduce the oil import burden.
1.16 Restore confidence in investment and promote tourism in Thailand by announcing 2008-2009 as the “Year of Investment” and “Year of Tourism in Thailand.”
1.17 Establish a system governing land ownership and land zoning that is comprehensive and fair, using geo-informatics data in a process that includes community participation so that all people have adequate land to live off and make a living from.
1.18 Expand the acreage of irrigated land and improve the efficiency of the irrigation system by rehabilitating and dredging natural sources of water, including development of ground-surface and underground water sources, by constructing large, medium and small-scale irrigation systems to support the restructuring of the agricultural sector, mitigate the impact of floods and droughts in urban community and agricultural areas, as well as sanitary water supply systems for use and consumption by people in all areas; enhance the efficiency of water distribution by developing various types of irrigation systems, such as piped irrigation.
1.19 Expedite measures and projects to mitigate the impact of the global warming crisis by promoting and supporting the participation of the public, private businesses and communities to build consciousness on conservation of natural resources, particularly the cultivation and restoration of forest resources, and supporting use of alternative energy from household agricultural by-products to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.
Respected Speaker of Parliament,
With regard to policies to be carried out during this Government's four-year term, the Government will pursue major policies to administer the country, which appear as policy sections 2 to 8 as follows:
2. Social Policy and Standards of Living
Respected Speaker of Parliament,
The Government attaches importance to the State providing basic guaranteed social services under the provisions of the Constitution, upgrading human and social quality, and having an environment that leads to good quality of life, security in life and the people's happiness, by undertaking the following:
2.1 Education Policy
2.1.1 Raise the quality of education for the Thai people in an integrated and complementary manner, from primary through higher education, in both formal and informal educational systems, and establish life-long learning.
2.1.2 Develop teachers' curricula, adjust teacher production and develop teachers of quality and virtue in a manner that is comprehensive, continuous and able to keep up with changes under globalization;
2.1.3 Promote the use of information technology to seriously enhance the efficiency of learning, teaching and acquiring knowledge; arrange for widely available access to high-speed internet; and extensively provide information technology equipment to complement learning and teaching in schools.
2.1.4 Ensure equal access to 12 years of education free of charge, including supporting the indigent, disabled or invalid, or in situations of distress, so that they may also have access to education; increase opportunities for youth to continue their education through lending funds tied to future income; and link this with the policy of producing university graduates in response to the country's need for knowledgeable and capable personnel; and provide supplemental scholarships for both domestic and overseas education;
2.1.5 Support production and development of a work force that is responsive to the structural changes in the manufacturing and services sectors; accelerate the development of a high-quality vocational labour force to enhance the country's competitiveness in such sectors as petrochemicals, software, food, textiles, health and tourism services and logistics management, with cooperation among businesses, educational institutions and specialized institutions; provide professional certification in accordance with international standards.
2.1.6 Expand the role of creative learning through organizations such as the Office of Knowledge Management and Development, a modern library system, or knowledge parks, the National Discovery Museum Institute, the Thailand Creative and Design Centre, a centre for development of sports, music and art, a centre for the treatment and development of autistics, children with attention deficit disorder, and other disadvantaged individuals, and an information and communications technology learning centre.
2.2 Labour Policy
2.2.1 Accelerate training and development of both people with jobs and those terminated from their jobs, to boost their chances of entering the manufacturing and services sectors at a higher level of technology.
2.2.2 Establish an early warning and monitoring system to keep track of situations that may have an impact on hiring and termination of employment due to economic structural changes, and provide for swift re-employment.
2.2.3 Provide labour protection according to Thai labour standards, which gives importance to work safety and labour welfare; and put in place a system for more comprehensive protection of informal labour.
2.3 Policy on Developing the People's Health
2.3.1 Improve the quality of the health insurance system across the board and ensure unobstructed public access to the system; undertake comprehensive and thorough reform of the public health management system, including medical care, health rehabilitation, disease prevention, and promotion of good health.
2.3.2 See to measures to reduce health risk factors and poor diet that lead to chronic illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and traffic accidents; introduce tax measures on consumption of products harmful to health, to stimulate personal behavioural change towards decreasing, suspending and giving up health-risk behaviour.
2.3.3 Put in place a proactive disease surveillance, prevention and control system to prevent illness and death from newly emerging and reoccurring diseases in humans; systematically build surveillance, diagnostic and treatment capacities in a coordinated manner and involving all relevant sectors.
2.3.4 Increase incentives for and expand the work of public health volunteers so that they play a major role in caring for children, the elderly, and the disabled, looking after hospital patients, and disease surveillance in communities; and link their efforts with local administrative organizations;
2.3.5 Encourage people at all levels to have the opportunity to exercise and play sports to maintain good health; develop the skills of Thai athletes toward excellence so that they may bring recognition to the country; inspire love of sports and productive use of spare time to avoid unhealthy habits with vice and drugs.
2.4 Policy on Religion, Arts and Culture
2.4.1 Patronize, protect and nurture Buddhism and other religions so that they play an important role in inculcating the people's understanding and application of religious teachings in enhancing virtue and quality of life.
2.4.2 Revitalize and ensure the preservation and passing on of the diverse Thai culture, including way of life, traditions, positive values, local wisdom, and maintenance of historical parks, archaeological sites, and museums, for learning and benefiting from in adding value based on Thai knowledge and identity; and promoting and developing archaeological sites into world heritage sites.
2.4.3 Develop cultural learning and recreational spaces for Thai youth to learn correctly, make good use of their spare time, be virtuous and care about others, and foster creative art appreciation.
2.4.4 Expand the role of provincial cultural councils so that they can serve as cultural watchdog mechanisms to monitor lifestyles and all media that encourage cultural and behavioural deviancy on the part of children and youth; eradicate media that are socially harmful; expand good media to lead towards building social immunity in time with the situation.
2.5 Policy on Security of Life and Society
2.5.1 Coordinate and integrate efforts and make use of various funds, such as the Fund for the Elderly, the Health Promotion Fund, Community Development Fund, and Thailand Research Fund, so that they are efficient partners in fostering social development and human security.
2.5.2 Create a life-long learning society by developing knowledge and ethics from infancy through all stages of youth, paying attention to the creation of an appropriate environment, warm and loving families, and places of learning that closely look after their charges by instilling in them up-to-date knowledge of the world and the positive values of Thai culture; and provide guidance to parents on proper child rearing according to brain development level.
2.5.3 Ensure human security and dignity for children, women and underprivileged people with disabilities by eradicating human trafficking rings, firmly eradicating all forms of discrimination and violations of the rights of children, women and people with disabilities; promote appropriate social welfare for the disabled and underprivileged; and promote learning and occupations for women and the disabled to become self-reliant.
2.5.4 Prepare for an aging society by recognising that the elderly are valuable resources for the country's economy and society; ensure that the elderly are in good physical and emotional health by providing a system of savings that ensures that income earned during their productive years will be sufficient for their retirement years; encourage age-appropriate healthy lifestyles; support strong families that can provide quality care for their own; expand the stipend base for the elderly without income; and promote the use of the experience of the elderly in national development through a brain trust system.
2.5.5 Create livable urban environments via systematic city planning and strict enforcement of laws related to public safety and the environment; provide appropriate basic services, with a school in every neighbourhood, efficient modes of transportation and communications, and safety of life and property.
3. Economic Policy
Respected Speaker of Parliament,
The Government will manage the economy to have growth that is continuous, balanced and strong in both domestic and foreign sectors, immunity against various risks associated with the global economy in both trade and investment; restructure the economy to enhance competitiveness by laying a knowledge infrastructure, good environmental governance and improved efficiency in manufacturing and services; including infrastructural development in industry, agriculture, logistics, energy, and information and communication technology, by undertaking the following:
3.1 Fiscal and Monetary Policy
3.1.1 Pursue monetary policy to support stable economic growth by regulating inflation and the value of the baht in line with prevailing economic conditions and market mechanisms; promote the efficiency and stability of the domestic financial sector, and enhance the private sector's risk management capacity.
3.1.2 Maintain fiscal discipline to induce long-term fiscal stability, covering the central budget, off-budget monies, local budgets, the financial status of state enterprises and specialised state financial institutions; reform the Kingdom's entire budgetary system in an integrated manner in line with the country's development; improve the taxation and tax collection systems to make them fair, efficient and sufficient for expenditures for economic and social development in the future.
3.1.3 Encourage a long-term savings system so that people have adequate savings for old age, and serve as a pool of savings for the country's mobilization of funds in the future.
3.1.4 Put in place a system to monitor and encourage both short and long-term capital flows for the benefit of the country; promote Thai investment overseas, including both individual and institutional investors; and attract foreign investment in line with the country's competitiveness, capacity-building targets for necessary manufacturing sectors, and economic stability.
3.1.5 Improve the efficiency of capital markets to be on par with major regional and global markets in terms of governance, price, and quality, giving attention to improving incentives to encourage national savings, increasing the roles of capital markets and debt instrument markets as sources of financing for the Government's large-scale investment projects, and setting up mechanisms to monitor and regulate capital market development in coordination with money market development.
3.1.6 Improve the capacity of state-owned enterprises to function as efficient supporting mechanisms for Thailand's development and investment strategies; establish a revenue base and value for state assets, with professional management, monitoring and regulation based on good governance, including having a separate ‘social account' for transparency, the use of performance indicators not lower than the standards set by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Thailand; and the accelerated rehabilitation of state enterprises with financial problems.
3.2 Economic Restructuring Policy
3.2.1 Agricultural Sector
3.2.1.1 Accelerate the restructuring of agricultural production to be in line with market opportunities and changes in consumer tastes in both traditional and emerging markets, through a strategy to turn Thailand into a global food-production hub, with emphasis on improving production efficiency in fisheries, livestock, and major cash crops in an integrated manner, including support for energy crops such as oil palm, sugar cane, and cassava to promote the alternative energy policy; and support production of new products with market potential such as fiber plants and medicinal herbs.
3.2.1.2 Promote value addition for agricultural goods through processing that meets international quality standards to create links with agro-industry, by supporting research and development on standards for food and agricultural production and food safety; see to an effective disease prevention and control system, as well as supporting agricultural processing within communities.
3.2.1.3 Expedite negotiation of agreements on food and agricultural product standards to prevent non-tariff barriers to trade; and improve logistical networks for agricultural products in both rural and urban areas to expand access to global markets.
3.2.1.4 Promote New Theory agriculture at the community level according to His Majesty's concept to give agricultural households food security; promote the learning process on organic farming, integrated farming, forest farming, school lunch projects, and livestock banks according to His Majesty's concept, with farmers and communities setting their own direction and approach.
3.2.1.5 Promote and encourage agricultural institutions such as co-operatives, community enterprises, and farmers' councils to enable farmers to participate in setting the approach to agricultural development and developing their own competitiveness.
3.2.2 Industrial Sector
3.2.2.1 Improve the efficiency and productivity of the industrial sector, including creating value for industrial products by upgrading labor skills, entrepreneurial management, and product standards; improve the efficiency of machinery, industrial logistics on the basis of cooperation among the public sector, the private sector, and educational institutions.
3.2.2.2 Develop and drive industries in which Thailand has high potential and advantage, such as food, metals, automobiles, petrochemicals, energy, electronics, making them regional and global production hubs through the promotion of investment incentives or granting of privileges to high-potential industries, including securing and developing suitable acreage and infrastructure to support industrial development in the next twenty years, bearing in mind the issues of environmental impact and local community participation.
3.2.2.3 Create products of high quality and standards to add value and protect the intellectual property of products produced in Thailand, by supporting skills development and utilization of modern technology, such as fashion goods, jewelry and accessories, as well as using marketing tools and building brand recognition of Thai products to enhance their popularity both domestically and abroad.
3.2.2.4 Create and strengthen small and medium-scale entrepreneurs, including community enterprises, to serve as a production base for the domestic economy, by encouraging cluster formation to improve product value and competitiveness, through support for knowledge and innovation; and foster good entrepreneurial governance and social responsibility.
3.2.2.5 Promote and expand the role of business incubation centres for entrepreneurs wishing to create high-value products and services by using modern technology custom-designed to make use of the potential of each area; create centres for industrial product development and design; and promoting commercial utilization of knowledge and innovation.
3.2.2.6 Establish a fund for building competitiveness and investment capacity to stimulate industrial adjustment; and support investment in high-tech, low-energy-consumption industries; and expand the role of existing funds so that they may efficiently support structural adjustment of the industrial sector.
3.2.3 Tourism and Services Sector
3.2.3.1 Accelerate revenue generation from tourism by revitalizing and improving tourism quality and standards for sustainability; establish new tourist destinations in areas with potential that can link nature, arts and culture with community ways of life, as well as creating linkages with neighboring countries; promote quality tourist markets, such as retiree groups, health-conscious groups, MICE groups, and groups interested in ecological systems, local cultures, historical and archeological sites; and keep tourists safe from crime, fraud and accidents caused by the negligence of business operators.
3.2.3.2 Develop service businesses with potential to create opportunities for expanding the manufacturing and marketing base in the region, for example, healthcare services, MICE services, international education, construction, the movie industry and sports and recreation-related services, by giving priority to strengthening business operators, improving the investment climate, business standards and personnel development to prepare for business expansion and marketing promotion.
3.2.3.3 Promote and develop cooperation between the trade and services industries with emphasis on each area's potential and cultural uniqueness, as well as human resource capacity to create economic value, such as healthcare and medical services which are linked with research and development in the pharmaceuticals and medical supplies industries.
3.2.4 Marketing, Trade and Investment
3.2.4.1 Promote a policy of free and fair competition, prevent monopolization and protect consumers effectively; and reassure business operators regarding protection of intellectual property rights.
3.2.4.2 Undertake proactive marketing to maintain existing markets and acquire new ones in order to reduce the country's dependence on major export markets by promoting exports to new markets, namely, China, India, the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe, and maintaining market share in major exports, with emphasis on the export of goods with high growth in new markets.
3.2.4.3 Expand economic linkages for trade benefits under multilateral and bilateral cooperation frameworks and trade arrangements to support economic restructuring; and improving facilities to expand markets in international trade and border trade.
3.2.4.4 Review the establishment of commercial offices overseas and improve, in an integrated manner, the mechanisms for managing the country's trade, by coordinating policy-level mechanisms with relevant implementing agencies to facilitate and streamline procedures for the private sector, in keeping with the changing nature of global market conditions.
3.2.4.5 Support overseas investment in areas where Thai operators have potential, including investment to set up production factories, contract farming agreements, opening of branches, acquiring representatives and partners in foreign countries to build Thai business networks overseas.
3.2.4.6 Revise and improve laws and regulations that hinder foreign investment to create a favourable investment climate and build investor confidence both domestically and abroad.
3.3 Policy on Infrastructure, Logistics and Mass Transit Management
3.3.1 Develop and expand infrastructure services to all regions extensively and sufficiently, in particular by providing necessary basic public utilities such as potable water, telecommunications services and housing, to upgrade people's quality of life.
3.3.2 Develop the transport system and link together rural, urban and international logistics networks, giving priority to the development of infrastructure and rail transport services, as part of multimodal transport networks, to reduce the cost of exporting goods and services.
3.3.3 Develop water transport and the merchant marine industry, both domestic and international; develop deep-water ports in the South; develop community ports and Thai fleets, to improve efficiency and reduce energy use in the transport sector, link to new trade gateways and promote tourism.
3.3.4 Develop Suvarnabhumi Airport, regional airports and Thailand's aviation industry for Thailand to become a leading aviation, tourism and air cargo hub in Asia and the world.
3.4 Energy Policy
3.4.1 Establish energy security through acquisition of sufficient energy for the country's development and the people's well-being by expediting more investment in the exploration and development of energy within the country, in joint development areas and from neighboring countries; as well as promoting energy cooperation with foreign countries.
3.4.2 Encourage the supervision of the energy sector so that energy prices are appropriate, fair and stimulate competition to invest in the energy industry, while maintaining high standards of quality, service and safety.
3.4.3 Develop and promote research in all forms of renewable energy as an alternative for the Thai people, in line with the principles of the sufficiency economy philosophy and sustainable development, as well as undertake studies to prepare readiness for deciding on the development of other alternative energy which utilizes high technology and locally compatible energy.
3.4.4 Seriously and continuously promote plans to conserve and save energy, as well as promote efficient use of energy in the manufacturing, services, and public sectors with appropriate incentives.
3.4.5 Promote development, production, and use of energy concurrently with environmental conservation. Promote development of clean energy, including giving importance to the management of greenhouse gases in order to help alleviate global warming.
3.5 Policy on Information Technology
3.5.1 Develop basic infrastructure for information technology, such as extensive and adequate high-speed communications networks, at appropriate, fair and competitive prices, to serve as the main network supporting Thailand's development into a knowledge-based society, reducing the urban-rural divide and enhancing national competitiveness.
3.5.2 Develop the software, hardware, and electronic knowledge services industries. Arrange mechanisms to support capital resources for small and medium entrepreneurs in information technology. Promote human resource development to meet market demand and standards in order to establish Thailand as a regional center for information and communications technologies.
3.5.3 Promote use of information technology to improve public sector management and services by utilizing electronic systems, linkage of data on transportation and management of goods and services, early warning systems and national security, education services and public health. Develop geo-informatics and space technology to improve quality of life and increase national competitiveness.
4. Policies on Land, Natural Resources, and the Environment
Respected Speaker of Parliament,
The Government attaches importance to the role of natural resources and the environment in fostering public well-being and national competitiveness, by attaching importance to the integrated management of the economic, social, environmental and natural resources dimensions, and encourages public and community participation through the following measures:
4.1 Conserve, develop and make sustainable use of bio-diversity to create economic value by emphasizing local wisdom and culture, including bio-safety in order to create food and health security as well as to add economic value at the domestic and international levels.
4.2 Expedite natural resources and environmental management that involves the participation of the public, local communities, local administrative offices and the private sector. Ensure balance between utilization, tenure, and conservation of the resource base, land, forest, wildlife, water resources, marine and coastal resources, and geological resources by applying geo-informatics together with improvement and strict enforcement of relevant laws and regulations, by seriously expediting suppression of deforestation and destruction of wildlife and natural resources. Increase participation by relevant actors for maximum benefit, and use natural resources in a manner that leads to sustainable development of the country and quality of life.
4.3 Conserve soil and forestry by ending illegal farm-burning and topsoil destruction; reducing chemical use in agriculture; rehabilitating soil and preventing soil degradation by planting vetiver grass in accordance with His Majesty's initiatives; fairly distributing and managing land ownership; conserving and protecting mature forest; supporting forestation and forest rehabilitation in accordance with His Majesty's initiatives; supporting establishment of community forests; growing economic timber in suitable areas as determined by academic research; supporting community roles in water resource management such as construction of dams and dykes in accordance with His Majesty's initiatives.
4.4 Provide preventive and early warning measures against natural disasters such as floods, droughts, earthquakes, climatic changes; take any necessary measures to minimize the impact of natural disasters on the public.
4.5 Expedite control of air pollution, garbage, wastewater, odours, and noise resulting from manufacturing and consumption, in particular construction of wastewater treatment systems for urban areas as well as agricultural and industrial activities; implement an environment-friendly waste disposal system, and increase the capacity of local administrative authorities regarding waste disposal and wastewater treatment.
4.6 Encourage the public and private sectors to research and develop appropriate technologies for energy conservation, environmental management, production of bio-degradable materials, recycling of raw materials, use of clean technology, and application of the “polluter pays” principle to reduce pollution and social impact in accordance with good environmental governance.
4.7 Raise environmental awareness, including through activities to change consumption and production behaviors in order to mitigate the effects of climate change, and support the observance of international obligations that will lead to enhanced efficiency in natural resources and environmental management.
5. Policy on Science, Technology and Innovation
Respected Speaker of Parliament,
The Government recognizes the significance of research and development in science, technology, and innovation as a key factor in enhancing economic competitiveness and improving quality of life. The Government will, therefore, undertake the following:
5.1 Promote the application of scientific and technological research to the development of the country, in parallel with the development of the existing research and development system to meet the needs of the manufacturing and services sectors, giving priority to linking the private sector, research institutions and universities, and develop enterprise networks that would lead to supplemental research and development and commercial application of the knowledge and technological base.
5.2 Enhance public scientific knowledge and thought, expediting production and development of human resources with quality and integrity in science and technology, in line with the growth of the manufacturing and services sectors. Develop career paths to retain personnel in science and technology within the system. Provide facilities to attract highly-qualified personnel from abroad to generate knowledge transfer to Thai personnel.
5.3 Develop infrastructure for science, technology and innovation sufficient in quality and size to meet demand, and support the creation of Thai intellectual property through the development of an efficient intellectual property management system, developing a modern standards certification system, and the creation of an incubation centre for technologically intensive businesses, science parks, and a centre of excellence for important technologies.
5.4 Improve the national research system to correspond with economic restructuring, by developing incentives and legislation conducive to private-sector investment in research and development, and by supporting investment in the acquisition of appropriate and strategic technologies from abroad.
6. Foreign Policy and International Economic Policy
Respected Speaker of Parliament,
The Government shall conduct a foreign policy to serve the highest interests of the country and the people, by playing a proactive role in enhancing cooperation and expanding cordial relations with all countries, in political, security, economic, social and cultural aspects; upholding Thailand's existing international commitments through various treaties and agreements to which it is party; and abiding by its obligations under international law, the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, while building immunity and developing all sectors of the Thai economy to benefit from international economic relations, and shall continue with the “Team Thailand” policy so that the conduct of foreign affairs will be efficient, effective and concerted, through the following measures:
6.1 Promote and develop relations with neighbouring countries by expanding cooperation at the levels of government, the private sector, the public and the media, to enhance mutual understanding and closeness, which would lead to increased economic cooperation in trade, investment, tourism promotion, and transport and communications and other areas, under such subregional frameworks as the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS); the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) economic cooperation framework; the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT); and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
6.2 Promote cooperation with countries in Asia, the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), and enhance Thailand's role in strengthening ASEAN to realise the goal of creating an ASEAN Community, and raise the profile of ASEAN in international forums during Thailand's chairmanship of ASEAN.
6.3 Play a constructive role in international organizations, in particular the United Nations and other regional organizations, in order to maintain peace and security, promote the democratic process, human rights and humanity, and cooperate in addressing all facets of transnational problems that affect human security.
6.4 Strengthen cooperation and strategic partnership with countries and groups of countries that play important roles in world affairs; establish free trade agreements, both multilaterally and bilaterally, for the highest aggregate benefit to the country; create mechanisms to help operators adapt to and benefit from such free trade agreements.
6.5 Conduct proactive diplomacy for the people, culture and education, including people-to-people exchanges with foreign countries, promoting technical cooperation with developing countries, and coordination of close cooperation to enhance understanding with other religious organizations.
6.6 Protect the interests of and look after Thais and Thai workers abroad, in particular Thais who work and reside in foreign countries; promote the role of Thai communities abroad in preserving Thai identity and Thainess.
7. State Security Policy
Respected Speaker of Parliament,
The Government will maintain the security of the country, the institution of the monarchy, and the democratic system with the King as Head of State; and will build reconciliation among the people, enhance national readiness to deal with threats of all kinds, including natural disasters and conflicts that may affect Thailand, resolve the conflict in the three southern border provinces and promote peaceful co-existence, ensure safety of life and property for people in all parts of the country, and oppose all forms of threat to society through the following actions:
7.1 Honour, protect and preserve the institution of the monarchy; defend the majesty of the King from violation by any person; promote loyalty to the institution of the monarchy in the public consciousness; and create an environment that fosters harmony, unity, and peaceful co-existence among the people of the nation.
7.2 Strengthen the national defence system to be proficient in protecting the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the state and in protecting national interests, by modernising weapons and equipment and enhancing the readiness of the armed forces; mobilise the public to participate in the maintenance of national security; and support nation building and peacekeeping missions within the framework of the United Nations.
7.3 Expedite development of management systems to address the problem of illegal immigrants, illegal alien workers and persons without clear legal status; emphasize strict enforcement of the law with regard to illegal migrant smuggling rings backed by influential persons, to minimize the scale and long-term security impact of the problem, in parallel with addressing the status and rights of persons without clear legal status, under a balance between maintaining national security and caring for basic rights.
7.4 Develop and strengthen a network for international cooperation to prevent and resolve the problems of terrorism and transnational crime; aim to develop a system to manage border areas for economic benefit, while maintaining security, and taking serious action to protect national maritime interests and expeditiously remove conditions that create misunderstandings with neighbouring countries so as to promote good relations while advancing economic and security cooperation.
7.5 Reform the intelligence system to benefit security maintenance and enhance the national interest by setting up a system of integrated cooperation among civilian agencies, the police, and military; and give importance to in-depth economic, social and security data that would be truly beneficial to preventing and resolving the nation's problems.
7.6 Develop a system of national preparedness by emphasizing management of crises caused by natural and man-made disasters, through force mobilization from all sectors to work efficiently together to prevent, resolve, alleviate and rehabilitate damage to the nation caused by disasters.
8. Policy on Good Management and Governance
Respected Speaker of Parliament,
The Government shall develop and improve the public sector management system so that government agencies may be well-prepared and equipped with an able workforce to meet the needs of the people efficiently, effectively, cost-effectively and fairly in the provision of public services; and will improve the legal and justice system, support political development and public participation in the conduct of public policy in order to foster good management of public affairs, by undertaking the following:
8.1 Efficiency of Administration of State Affairs
8.1.1 Improve public services through innovation and introducing new technologies to provide various types of services to ease the workload and provide greater convenience to the public.
8.1.2 Develop the system and specify measures to attract qualified and capable people to the civil service by improving the remuneration and incentives system to a level comparable or competitive with the labour market, so that the civil service is viewed by job seekers as a desirable employer, and supporting the mobility and transfer of personnel both within the civil service system and between government agencies and other sectors.
8.1.3 Continuously develop the work system and performance of civil servants and government officials at every level, for enhanced competence in performing civil service work and delivering public services, by emphasizing development of civil servants in positions of importance to the country's development strategy, and build change leaders in the civil service, including setting in place measures for evaluating work results and fair results-based remuneration, to boost morale and motivation to improve work results.
8.1.4 Improve the quality of life of civil servants and government officials so that they may live in dignity, by increasing salaries, remuneration and benefits to suit working conditions and changes in the cost of living, including improving work welfare and debt [relief] so that civil servants and government officials may enjoy balance between work and personal life.
8.1.5 Strengthen moral and ethical standards for civil servants and government officials and develop transparency in the work of the government sector, including seriously preventing and suppressing corruption and malfeasance by civil servants and government officials, so that the public finds the civil service sector dependable and trustworthy.
8.1.6 Promote the serious devolution of administrative power by creating a balance between supervision and local autonomy without prejudicing the ability of localities to make decisions to act in accordance with their needs; strengthen and increase the capacity of localities to manage their own budget and personnel, including being more self-reliant based on more locally collected revenue.
8.1.7 Encourage local administrative bodies to play a greater role in providing local public services, by taking into consideration the necessity and suitability according to the locality's potential, including local people's needs, as well as expanding services to cover improvement of the people's quality of life, connected to and integrated with community and other levels of plans in the area.
8.1.8 Speed up the transfer of functions from central authorities to local administrative bodies in line with the law on planning and procedures for the devolution of power to local administrative bodies, including suitable allocation of revenue for each type of locality.
8.1.9 Support the integrated provincial management system of provincial governors through a process of drawing up a development plan for provinces and provincial groups and budget planning for provinces and provincial groups, so that provinces and provincial groups may set development strategies and directions for future development of the area in line with government policies for economic and social development, potential of the area and the needs of the people.
8.2 The Law and Justice
8.2.1 Ensure law observance and enforcement that is proper, timely, fair and applicable to all; promote the provision of knowledge of laws affecting the public and business sector; enhance the efficiency of protection of people's rights and freedoms; and promote legal aid.
8.2.2 Bring laws up to date in line with society's changes and needs, including establishment of an “agency for law reform” and an “agency for reform of the justice system,” pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand to improve and develop the country's laws and justice system.
8.2.3 Enhance and develop all areas of the justice work process, in particular crime prevention and the creation of fairness in society; development of a criminal justice system that follows the rule of law; use of forensic science tools and principles; facilitation of access to justice and public participation in the dispensation of justice, for example, development of a community justice system and provincial justice system; development and establishment of an alternative justice process (which is a process to delay punishment, such as performing community service) parallel with the mainstream justice system; and developing a system and operational methods for the rehabilitation of criminals as appropriate to target groups; and develop a database and information technology system for the justice process.
8.2.4 Reinforce justice in the southern border provinces by focusing on the development of laws and justice work process that are compatible with the local area, culture and way of life; strictly enforce the law, remove the conditions of injustice and develop an efficient system to evaluate evidence of wrongdoing.
8.3 Enhance people's opportunities to receive extensive, correct, fair, and timely information from government authorities and other public media.
Respected Speaker of Parliament,
The Government is determined to seriously implement the fundamental policy approach of the state, and wishes to point out that the government policies just announced will serve as a guideline for action over the next four years, based on the urgency of resolving the country's problems, and for administration of state affairs according to the provisions in Chapter 5 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand on the fundamental policy approach of the state. Moreover, so that the Government may administer state affairs in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, and, through policy implementation, achieve the objectives set forth, the Government shall improve or determine the work approach of government agencies, strengthen the management system, propose legislative bills, and undertake every action that is pertinent to efficient state administration and achievable in practice to benefit the country's development, and thus considered also to be this Government's policy on administration of state affairs.
Respected Speaker of Parliament,
The Cabinet's formulation of the policy on the administration of state affairs described rests on the basis of facts according to the realities of the country, and continuity with past events, including an analysis of the new economic, social, political and administrative environments, and the changing world situation. After this policy statement is delivered, the Government will expedite concrete implementation by drawing up details of an action plan, comprising a national administrative plan, an action plan for each government agency, and a legislative enactment plan to serve as reference and guidelines for further work.
The Government wishes to further inform the public that it is fully committed to democratic rule with the King as Head of the State, and considers the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand to be a vital foundation for putting in place a national administrative system that would bring about security and enhance democratic principles that are correct and acceptable to the people of the country. The present Constitution is the first one to have been approved by the people in a referendum. But since there remain many differences of opinion, this Government will support a study to review the provisions of the Constitution so that amendments may be made to truly conform to democratic principles and to enhance the country's administration at an appropriate time later.
The Government reassures the National Assembly, the body charged with overseeing state administration, that the Government will administer the country with integrity, honesty, and determination for the country to achieve the same level of prosperity as civilized countries, foster equality in a more balanced society, and ensure that the Thai people are proud of being Thai, truly with the benefit and happiness of the Thai people as its basis.
Thank you.
ANNEX A
Enactment or revision of laws according to the provisions of
the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand
1. Laws that require the Cabinet taking office after the first general election according to the Constitution to complete enactment or improve upon within one year of the policy announcement to Parliament, pursuant to Section 303:
1.1 Laws on the specification of details to promote and protect the exercise of rights and liberties, as follows:
1.1.1 Law on rights in the judicial process, pursuant to Section 40.
1.1.2 Law on the right to receive guarantees of work safety and welfare, including guarantees in making a living both while employed and after employment, pursuant to Section 44.
1.1.3 Law on the liberty of expression by individuals and the media, pursuant to Part 7 of Chapter 3, rights and liberties of the Thai people.
1.1.4 Law on rights and liberties in education, pursuant to Part 8 of Chapter 3, rights and liberties of the Thai people.
1.1.5 Law on the right to receive public health services and welfare from the State, pursuant to Part 9 of Chapter 8, rights and liberties of the Thai people.
1.1.6 Law on the right to information and lodge complaints, pursuant to Part 10 of Chapter 3, rights and liberties of the Thai people, including laws on personal information, pursuant to Section 56.
1.1.7 Law on community rights, pursuant to Part 12 of Chapter 3, rights and liberties of the Thai people.
1.2 Laws on the establishment of independent consumer protection organizations, pursuant to Section 61, paragraph two.
1.3 Laws for the development of national education, pursuant to Section 80.
1.4 Laws for establishment of organizations to reform the judicial process, pursuant to Section 81(4).
1.5 Laws on the establishment of agricultural councils, pursuant to Section 84(8)
1.6 Laws on entering into agreements with foreign countries, pursuant to Section 190, paragraph five.
1.7 Laws on the National Human Rights Commission, pursuant to Section 256.
2. Laws that require the Cabinet taking office after the first general election according to the Constitution to complete enactment within two years of the policy announcement to Parliament:
2.1 Laws on participation in the judicial process and legal aid, pursuant to Section 81(1).
2.2 Laws on monetary and fiscal affairs of the State to set monetary and fiscal discipline, pursuant to Section 167 paragraph three.
2.3 Laws on planning and steps to devolve power to local administrative organizations, local revenue, the establishment of local administrative organizations, local civil servants, and other laws, pursuant to Chapter 14, local administration.
3. Enactment of other laws pursuant to the Constitution
Other than the laws that the Cabinet is obligated to enact or improve upon according to the time schedule above, as specified by the Constitution, the Cabinet shall support, move forward and expedite the enactment of other laws in keeping with the spirit of the Constitution.
Remarks Laws that the Cabinet must enact according to the Constitution, which has been carried out by the previous Cabinet, and are therefore not indicated in the list above, are:
(1) Law on the political development council, pursuant to Section 78(7).
(2) 2008 law on science, technology and national innovation, pursuant to Section 86(1).
(3) Law on the establishment of a political development fund for the civil sector, pursuant to Section 87(4).
ANNEX B
List of the Cabinet's Policy Topics in the Administration of State Affairs
Compared with the Fundamental Policy Approach in Chapter 5
Of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand
Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand
Cabinet Policy
Section 77
The State shall protect and uphold the institution of the monarchy, independence, sovereignty and integrity of its territories, and shall arrange for armed forces, weapons and military equipment, and technologies that are modern, necessary, and adequate for the protection and maintenance of the independence, sovereignty and security of the State, the institution of the monarchy, national interests, and the democratic system of government with the King as Head of State, and for national development.
1. Urgent policies to be implemented in the first year
1.1 Establish reconciliation and harmony among the nation's people and revive democracy
1.2 Resolve the unrest in the southern border provinces
1.3 Expeditiously resolve the narcotic drugs problem and crackdown on influential persons
7. State security policy
8. Policy on good management and governance
8.2 The law and justice
Section 78
The State shall implement the policy approach on administration of state affairs as follows:
(1) Administer state affairs for sustainable social, economic, and security development of the country, while promoting implementation of the sustainable economic philosophy and taking into foremost consideration the overall national interest.
3. Economic policy
3.5 Policy on information technology
8. Policy on good management and governance
8.1 Efficiency in administering state affairs
8.2 The law and justice
8.3 Encourage the people to have the opportunity to receive information from state authorities
(2) Reorganize central, regional and local administrative bodies with clearly defined areas of authority and responsibility appropriate for the country's development, and encourage the provinces to prepare plans and budgets for provincial development for the benefit of residents.
(3) Decentralize power so that local administrative organizations may be self-reliant and can decide on local affairs; encourage local administrative organizations to participate in the fundamental policy approach of the State; develop local economies, public utilities and facilities, as well as local information infrastructure thoroughly and equally throughout the country; and develop provinces that are ready into large-scale local administrative organizations, taking into account the will of people in such provinces.
(4) Develop the work system of the public sector, with emphasis on development of the quality, merit, and ethics of state officials, in tandem with improvement of the style and method of operations to ensure efficient administration of state affairs, and encourage state organs to adopt the principles of good governance in performing their official duties.
(5) Reorganize government work and other state affairs so that performance and delivery of public services are timely, efficient, transparent, and accountable, with public participation in mind.
(6) Ensure that legal affairs agencies that have the duty to give legal opinions on public administration and vet state legislation function independently, so that administration of state affairs is based on the rule of law.
(7) Prepare a political development plan, and set up an independent political development council to strictly monitor implementation of the plan.
(8) Ensure that civil servants and state employees receive appropriate benefits.
Section 79.
The State shall patronize and protect the Buddhist religion, long the faith of most Thais, and other religions; promote good understanding and harmony among adherents of all faiths, as well as encourage the application of religious principles to enhance virtue and develop quality of life.
2. Policy on Society and Quality of Life
2.4 Policy on religion, arts and culture
Section 80. The State shall follow the policy approach on social issues, public health, education, and culture as follows:
(1) Protect and develop children and youth; support their upbringing, care, and early education; promote equality between women and men; enhance and develop the integrity of the family institution and communities; provide aid and welfare to the elderly, the indigent, the disabled or handicapped and the underprivileged for better quality of life and self-reliance.
(2) Promote, support, and develop a health system that emphasizes health promotion for sustained well-being; provide and promote standard public health services to people universally and efficiently; and encourage the private sector and communities to participate in health development and provision of public health services, whereby providers of such services who perform their duties according to professional and ethical standards shall be protected by the law.
(3) Develop the quality and standards of education at all levels and formats to keep up with changes in the socio-economic environment; see to a national education plan and laws to develop national education; develop the quality of teachers and educational personnel to keep up with changes in the global society; inculcate learners with Thai consciousness, discipline, regard for the public interest, and adherence to democratic rule with the King as Head of State.
(4) Promote and support decentralization of power so that local administrative organizations, communities, religious organizations, and the private sector may organize and participate in education management to raise education quality and standards to a level equal to and consistent with the fundamental policy approach of the state.
(5) Promote and support research in various disciplines, and disseminate the state-funded research results and information.
(6) Promote and support harmony, learning, consciousness-raising, and dissemination of arts and culture, traditions and customs of the nation, as well as positive social values and local wisdom.
2. Policy on Society and Quality of Life
2.1 Education policy
2.3 Policy on development of people's health
2.4 Policy on religion, arts and culture
2.5 Policy on security of life and society
5. Policy on science, technology and innovation
5.1 Promote the application of science and technology research to the country's development
Section 81
The State shall follow the policy approach on the law and justice as follows:
(1) See to the correct, timely, impartial, and universal observance and enforcement of the law; promote the provision of legal aid and legal knowledge to the public; reorganize civil service work and other state work in the judicial process to be efficient, with participation by people and professional organizations in the judicial process and provide legal assistance to the public.
(2) Protect the rights and liberties of the individual from being violated by state officials and others, and dispense justice equally to all people.
(3) Enact legislation to establish an independent agency for law reform with functions to improve and develop the laws of the country, as well as amend laws to comply with the Constitution, taking into account the views of people affected by those laws.
(4) Enact legislation to establish an independent agency to reform the criminal justice process, to improve and develop the operations of agencies involved with the process.
(5) Support the operations of private organizations that provide legal aid to the public, particularly those affected by domestic violence.
8. Policy on Good Management and Governance
8.2 The law and justice
Section 82
The State shall promote friendly relations with other countries and adopt the principle of non-discrimination and shall comply with human rights conventions to which Thailand is party as well as international obligations concluded with other countries and international organizations.
The State shall promote trade, investment and tourism with other countries and shall render protection and look after the interests of Thais living abroad.
1. Urgent policies to be implemented in the first year
1.16 Restore confidence in the areas of investment and tourism promotion in Thailand
3. Economic Policy
3.2 Economic restructuring policy
6. Foreign Policy and International Economic Policy
7. National Security Policy
7.4 Develop and enhance networks for international cooperation to prevent and solve problems of terrorism and cross-border crimes
Section 83
The State shall encourage and support implementation of the sufficiency economy philosophy.
3. Economic Policy
3.2 Economic restructuring policy
Section 84
The State shall follow the policy approach on the economy as follows:
(1) Support a free and fair economic system through market mechanisms and to promote sustainable economic development by repealing and refraining from the enactment of laws and rules regulating business which are inconsistent with economic needs, and refraining from economic activities that compete with the private sector, except where necessary for the purpose of maintaining state security, preserving the common interest, or providing public utilities.
(2) Encourage the application of merit, ethics and good governance principles in the conduct of business.
(3) Control monetary and financial discipline to strengthen economic and social stability and security; improve the tax collection system to ensure fairness and compatibility with changing socio-economic conditions.
(4) Provide a comprehensive
savings system for old age for public and state officials.
(5) Regulate business activities to
ensure free and fair competition, prevent monopolies, whether direct or indirect, and protect consumers.
(6) See to the fair distribution of income; protect, enhance and extend occupational opportunities to the public for economic development, including promotion and support of the development of local and Thai wisdom for application in the manufacture of goods, provision of services, and occupations.
(7) Encourage people of working age to have employment; protect child and women workers; organize a tripartite labour relations system which entitles workers to elect their representatives; provide a social security system and ensure that workers working at equal value obtain equal wages, benefits and welfare on a fair and non-discriminatory basis.
(8) Protect and maintain farmers' interests in production and marketing; encourage maximum remuneration from farm products, including the promotion of farmers associations in the form of farmers councils in order to carry out agricultural planning and protection of shared interests.
(9) Promote, support and protect the independence of the cooperatives system and the formation of occupational or professional associations, as well as associations by the public for carrying out economic activities.
(10) Provide basic utility services that are essential for people to live on to maintain the economic security of the state and ensure that the private sector does not monopolize basic utility services, which may be harmful to the State.
(11) Refrain from any act that may cause ownership of basic utility services infrastructure or networks that are essential for people's lives or national security to be transferred to the private sector or which results in the State holding less than a fifty-one percent share of ownership.
(12) Promote and support merchant marine, rail transportation, including the operation of domestic and international logistics management systems.
(13) Promote and strengthen private sector economic organizations at national and local levels.
(14) Promote the agricultural processing industry to create economic added value.
1. Urgent policies to be implemented in the first year
1.4 Implement measures to ease the hardships faced by the public and entrepreneurs
1.5 Raise the capacity of village and urban community funds
1.6 Allocate budgets in accordance with size of population (small, medium, and large: SML) to every village and community
1.7 Continue the People's Bank Project
1.8 Provide loans to small- and medium-sized as well as community entreprises
1.9 Raise the management capacity of the “One Tambon One Product” project
1.10 Suspend debt for small and destitute farmers
1.11 Create a risk insurance system for farmers
1.12 Expand the role of Fix-it Centers and vocational institutions
1.13 Provide citizens with equal opportunity for housing
1.14 Accelerate major national investment projects
2. Policy on Society and Quality of Life
2.2 Labor policy
3. Economic Policy
3.1 Fiscal and monetary policy
3.2 Economic restructuring policy
3.3 Policy on basic infrastructures and mass transit and goods and service transportation management systems
3.4 Energy policy
3.5 Information technology policy
8. Policy on Good Management and Governance
Section 85
The State shall act in compliance with the policy approach on land use, natural resources and the environment as follows:
(1) Prescribe rules on land use applicable to the entire country with due regard to compatibility with environmental conditions, including land and water and the way of life of local communities, efficient measures for conservation of natural resources, sustainable standards for land use, with people in the affected area having a say in the decision-making.
(2) Ensure equitable distribution of land rights to entitle farmers to land rights or ownership for agriculture by means of land reforms or through other means, and providing adequate and suitable water resources for farmers for agricultural usage.
(3) Conduct town and city planning, and implementing those plans effectively and efficiently for sustainable conservation of natural resources.
(4) Provide a systematic water and natural resources management plan for the benefit of the public, and encouraging public participation in the preservation, conservation and appropriate utilization of natural resources and biological diversity.
(5) Promote the conservation and protection of environment quality based on sustainable development, and controlling and eliminating pollution affecting health, sanitation, welfare and the quality of life of the public by encouraging the public, the local communities and the local governments to participate in the formulation of policy measures.
1. Urgent policies to be implemented in the first year
1.15 Take measures to reduce impacts from rising energy costs
1.17 Establish a system of land possession and zoning in an extensive and just manner
1.18 Increase irrigated areas and improve the efficiency of irrigation systems
1.19 Expedite measures and projects to alleviate the impact of global warming
4. Natural Resources and Environmental Policy
4.1 Preserve, develop, and utilize the benefits of bio-diversity sustainably to optimize economic value
4.2 Expedite the placing of natural resource and environmental management under public participation with the involvement of local communities, local administrative bodies and the private sector
4.3 Preserve soil and forests by prohibiting farm burning, inhibiting soil erosion, and preventing the use of agricultural chemicals, while improving soil quality and controlling soil erosion
4.5 Expedite the implementation of air, garbage, wastewater, odour, and noise pollution control
4.6 Encourage the public and private sectors to conduct research and development on suitable technology for energy conservation and environmental management
4.7 Promote environmental awareness
Section 86
The State shall follow the policy approach on science, intellectual property and energy as follows:
(1) Encourage the development of science, technology and innovation in all aspects by enacting specific laws, allocating educational budgets for study and research, establishing research and development institutes, encouraging utilization of research outcomes, the effective transfer of technology and the development of research personnel and dissemination of knowledge on science and modern technology to the public, and encouraging the public to apply scientific knowledge in real life.
(2) Support invention or cogitation to create new knowledge, preserving and developing local and Thai wisdom, and protecting intellectual properties.
(3) Promote and support research and development and utilization of alternative energy that benefits the environment in a continuous and systematic manner.
1. Urgent policies to be implemented in the first year
1.15 Implement measures to minimize the impacts from the rising energy costs
1.19 Expedite the implementation of measures and projects aimed at alleviating the impacts of global warming
3. Economic Policy
3.2 economic restructuring policy
3.4 energy policy
4. Policy for land, natural resources and the environment
4.6 Encourage the public and private sectors to conduct research and development on suitable technology for energy conservation and environmental management
5. Science and Technology and Innovation Policy
5.1 Promote the use of science and technology research in the country's development
5.2 Encourage scientific knowledge and ideas among the public; while developing science and technology personnel
5.3 Develop science, technology and innovation infrastructures of sufficient quality and scale to meet demand.
5.4 Synchronize the national research system with economic restructuring
Section 87
The State shall implement the policy approach on public participation as follows:
(1) Promote public participation in policymaking and socio-economic development planning at both the local and national levels.
(2) Promote and support public participation in political decision- making, socio-economic development planning, including provision of public services.
(3) Promote and support public participation in monitoring the exercise of state power at all levels, in the form of various professional, occupational or other types of bodies.
(4) Promote a politically strong citizenry; and legislate the establishment of a political development fund for the civil sector to support public community activities, as well as to support the formation of citizen groups and networks of any form to present the views and needs of the local community.
(5) Promote and educate the people on political development and democratic rule with the King as Head of State; and encourage the people to exercise their voting rights honestly and fairly.
Public participation according to this section must bear in mind the close gender ratio.
3. Economic Policy
3.2 Economic restructuring policy
4. Policy on Land, Natural Resources and the Environment
4.2 Expedite management of natural resources and the environment with the participation of the public, local communities, local administrative organizations and the private sector.
8. Policy on good management and governance
8.2 The law and justice
8.3 Promote people's opportunity to receive news and information from government authorities
Translator's Note: Page numbers refer to those in the Thai-language original.