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Mid · 15-07-2008, 09:21 AM

Huge economic-stimulus package to be unveiled today
By Wichit Chaitrong
July 15, 2008

The government will today unveil an economic-stimulus package worth Bt30 billion to Bt40 billion and plans to inject more money into the economy to help those hardest hit by rising energy costs, especially low-income groups.

The government will today unveil an economic-stimulus package worth Bt30 billion to Bt40 billion and plans to inject more money into the economy to help those hardest hit by rising energy costs, especially low-income groups.

Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee said the Cabinet was expected to approve a package of measures proposed by the Finance, Energy and Transport ministries. High on the list is a Finance Ministry proposal to cut excise tax on E85 gasohol from Bt2.5795 a litre to 50 satang.

The Cabinet will also be asked to approve government coupons for the poor, in order to help reduce the cost of living for those worst affected by rising prices. Families with a monthly income of Bt6,000 or less will be given coupons to buy basic necessities at subsidised prices or obtain free public services.

The National Economic and Social Development Board will identify those qualified to receive the coupons.

Overall, these and other undisclosed measures are worth an estimated Bt30 billion to Bt40 billion, said Government House sources.

The government will also consider increasing the budget deficit in fiscal 2009 beyond the currently planned 2.4 per cent of gross domestic product if the economic slowdown worsens.

The fiscal-2009 budget, which is now before Parliament, provides for expenditure of Bt1.835 trillion, while revenue is expected to be Bt1.585 trillion. However, the budget's mid-year spending could be increased by running a larger fiscal deficit in fiscal 2009, which begins this coming October 1.

Surapong said liquidity could start to tighten in the second half of the year as US and other foreign investors abandon the local bourse because of the deepening consequences of the US sub-prime mortgage crisis.

On mega-infrastructure projects, implementation of which has failed to advance, Surapong said the govern-ment would begin construction this year on at least one mass-transit line: the Purple Line linking Bang Sue and Bang Yai.

Government House sources said additional measures to help the poor would include free tap water for households consuming less than 50 units a month and free electricity for households using less than 150 units a month.

As well, the Interior Ministry will provide 700 public buses in Bangkok that will give free rides to passengers presenting government coupons.

nationmultimedia.com

baldrick · 15-07-2008, 09:58 AM

relocating many government offices to Cheang Wattana road - and maybe even parliment house - mass transit plans ? fcuking stupid cnuts

Mid · 15-07-2008, 03:22 PM

Six relief measures for the people
Tue, July 15, 2008

The government on Tuesday unveiled six measures to help citizens fight with economic woes. Embattled Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej chaired the press conference to showcase the relief package.

The six measures will remain in effect for six months until the government can inject money into the economy via mega projects, Samak said.

The measures are;

1. Reduction of excise charges for gasohol. This will lead to a price difference of around Bt8 per liter between premium petrol and gasohol. The diesel price will be down by about Bt2.71 per liter. The new excise will take effect on July 25.

2. Suspend price adjustment for cook gas.

3. Reduction of water charges. The government will completely shoulder the water costs for household users with the consumption rate of less than eight cubic liters per month.

4. Reduction of electricity charges. The government will completely shoulder the electricity for household users with the consumption rate of less than 80 units per month. For those using 81-to-150 units per month, the government will help paying half of the charges.

5. Commuters of non-airconditioned buses in Bangkok will avail themselves to free services. Of 1,600 buses, half will offer free rides for commuters although the government will pay for the fares.

6. All third-class train services in every route nationwide will not charge to passengers because the government will pay the fares on their behalf.

nationmultimedia.com

good2bhappy · 15-07-2008, 03:42 PM

wow!
Now I can rough it for free
Someone has to pay for this in the long run?

Spin · 15-07-2008, 03:52 PM

Ok, offering folks a bit of help is good for 6 months but the way things are going, in 6 months time the world economy will probably be worse than it is now. Very good chance of war in Iran an will oil be cheaper than it is today?
All this talk of stimulating the economy with mega projects, pah! Those just grease the palms of key construction company owners forced with Burmese labour.
Perhaps the answer is to raise the salary of those guys earning less than 6000 baht per month but that would mean greedy people have to become less greedy so that will never happen.

ray23 · 15-07-2008, 03:54 PM

Thats great but the part that is missing from my understanding is you still hav to qaulify as a low income household . So lets see if live in Bangkok you can get to work for free maybe. If you travel in third class train hey it's freebie but how often do thais actually use a traint og o anywhere.

we make gasoil cheaper great if the the older bikes and cars in the country could use the stuff. yep another great help. Oh ya by the way the cooking gas you use everyday is going to cost more. Yep this shoud do the trick.

It rates up there with buying fuel from Russia that needs to be refined again to be usable here You save 8 baht for a liter build a new refiner costing billion of baht and you haven't even factored in tranporting the fuel yet. Oh ya that will end up being cheaper.

You know sometime I wonder about the decesions here, but this one I'm not wondering about at all. Reminds me of the worlds largest bill board in Bangkok when Bush was here. The slums were still there, But were really not the because the bill board hid them Right!

good2bhappy · 15-07-2008, 04:00 PM

It is a good sound bite for a floundering govt?

Thetyim · 15-07-2008, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mid

High on the list is a Finance Ministry proposal to cut excise tax on E85 gasohol from Bt2.5795 a litre to 50 satang.

If I am informed correctly (please correct me if I am wrong) then only Volvo make E85 compatible cars at the moment.
So this high priority measure will only benefit punters who purchase a 2008 Volvo

Fabian · 15-07-2008, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by good2bhappy

wow!
Now I can rough it for free
Someone has to pay for this in the long run?

Sure, the taxpayer.

What a waste of money!

Whiteshiva · 15-07-2008, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mid

3. Reduction of water charges. The government will completely shoulder the water costs for household users with the consumption rate of less than eight cubic liters per month.

How long is a cubic liter?

Spin · 15-07-2008, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mid

Suspend price adjustment for cook gas.

Correct me if Im wrong but i heard lots of thais moaning about the way the price of this has shot up already. Suspending it at its current price doesnt really help much as the current price is already killing folks. Just this week a couple of the places i eat raised their prices by 5 baht, as i said before, no big deal for the average farang but thats a 25% increase on one nesscessity in one day. For folks trying to string out 5k over a month this is some serious shit and I really feel for them.

good2bhappy · 15-07-2008, 05:03 PM

water consumption is measured in cubic litres

Spin · 15-07-2008, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whiteshiva

How long is a cubic liter?

Well spotted

A cubic liter is 10 cm long by 10ch wide by 10 cm high isnt it? it would weigh 1kg also? have I got that right?

They mean cubic metres dont they?

Spin · 15-07-2008, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by good2bhappy

water consumption is measured in cubic litres

cubic meters, or 1000 litres or liters.

Travelmate · 15-07-2008, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mid

On mega-infrastructure projects, implementation of which has failed to advance, Surapong said the govern-ment would begin construction this year on at least one mass-transit line: the Purple Line linking Bang Sue and Bang Yai.

I have been waiting for this project to start since 2004. They better push the "START" button this time. Or the construction industry will be in serious decline.

Thormaturge · 15-07-2008, 06:08 PM

Politicians could always donate half of their salaries to the poor and needy.

Thaksion Shinawatra could sell Manchester City and donate the money to the people who helped him make it.

blackgang · 15-07-2008, 06:27 PM

^ You have got to be kidding.

William · 15-07-2008, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mid

On mega-infrastructure projects, implementation of which has failed to advance, Surapong said the govern-ment would begin construction this year on at least one mass-transit line: the Purple Line linking Bang Sue and Bang Yai.

Isn't this the one being paid for by JBIC?

Whiteshiva · 16-07-2008, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spin

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whiteshiva

How long is a cubic liter?

Well spotted

A cubic liter is 10 cm long by 10ch wide by 10 cm high isnt it? it would weigh 1kg also? have I got that right?

They mean cubic metres dont they?

There is no such thing as a cubic liter.

Just as there is no cubic gallon, or cubic pint.

I suspect as you do, that they really meant a cubic meter. I can't imagine there being any household capable of using less than 8 liters a month - no matter how much they fiddle with the meters.....

15-07-2008, 09:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
Mid Nautical Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7,934	Thailand : Huge economic-stimulus package to be unveiled today Huge economic-stimulus package to be unveiled today By Wichit Chaitrong July 15, 2008 The government will today unveil an economic-stimulus package worth Bt30 billion to Bt40 billion and plans to inject more money into the economy to help those hardest hit by rising energy costs, especially low-income groups. The government will today unveil an economic-stimulus package worth Bt30 billion to Bt40 billion and plans to inject more money into the economy to help those hardest hit by rising energy costs, especially low-income groups. Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee said the Cabinet was expected to approve a package of measures proposed by the Finance, Energy and Transport ministries. High on the list is a Finance Ministry proposal to cut excise tax on E85 gasohol from Bt2.5795 a litre to 50 satang. The Cabinet will also be asked to approve government coupons for the poor, in order to help reduce the cost of living for those worst affected by rising prices. Families with a monthly income of Bt6,000 or less will be given coupons to buy basic necessities at subsidised prices or obtain free public services. The National Economic and Social Development Board will identify those qualified to receive the coupons. Overall, these and other undisclosed measures are worth an estimated Bt30 billion to Bt40 billion, said Government House sources. The government will also consider increasing the budget deficit in fiscal 2009 beyond the currently planned 2.4 per cent of gross domestic product if the economic slowdown worsens. The fiscal-2009 budget, which is now before Parliament, provides for expenditure of Bt1.835 trillion, while revenue is expected to be Bt1.585 trillion. However, the budget's mid-year spending could be increased by running a larger fiscal deficit in fiscal 2009, which begins this coming October 1. Surapong said liquidity could start to tighten in the second half of the year as US and other foreign investors abandon the local bourse because of the deepening consequences of the US sub-prime mortgage crisis. On mega-infrastructure projects, implementation of which has failed to advance, Surapong said the govern-ment would begin construction this year on at least one mass-transit line: the Purple Line linking Bang Sue and Bang Yai. Government House sources said additional measures to help the poor would include free tap water for households consuming less than 50 units a month and free electricity for households using less than 150 units a month. As well, the Interior Ministry will provide 700 public buses in Bangkok that will give free rides to passengers presenting government coupons. nationmultimedia.com __________________ "Keeping quiet while monks and other peaceful protesters are murdered and jailed is not evidence of constructive engagement." - Arvind Ganesan, Human Rights Watch. "I think...I think it's in my basement. Let me go upstairs and check" - M.C. Escher

15-07-2008, 09:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
baldrick Thermae Last Online: Yesterday 10:19 PM Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Lord Black Adders gutter Posts: 2,314	relocating many government offices to Cheang Wattana road - and maybe even parliment house - mass transit plans ? fcuking stupid cnuts

15-07-2008, 03:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mid Nautical Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7,934	Six relief measures for the people Tue, July 15, 2008 The government on Tuesday unveiled six measures to help citizens fight with economic woes. Embattled Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej chaired the press conference to showcase the relief package. The six measures will remain in effect for six months until the government can inject money into the economy via mega projects, Samak said. The measures are; 1. Reduction of excise charges for gasohol. This will lead to a price difference of around Bt8 per liter between premium petrol and gasohol. The diesel price will be down by about Bt2.71 per liter. The new excise will take effect on July 25. 2. Suspend price adjustment for cook gas. 3. Reduction of water charges. The government will completely shoulder the water costs for household users with the consumption rate of less than eight cubic liters per month. 4. Reduction of electricity charges. The government will completely shoulder the electricity for household users with the consumption rate of less than 80 units per month. For those using 81-to-150 units per month, the government will help paying half of the charges. 5. Commuters of non-airconditioned buses in Bangkok will avail themselves to free services. Of 1,600 buses, half will offer free rides for commuters although the government will pay for the fares. 6. All third-class train services in every route nationwide will not charge to passengers because the government will pay the fares on their behalf. nationmultimedia.com

15-07-2008, 03:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
good2bhappy Senior Member Last Online: Yesterday 11:34 PM Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Klong Samwa Posts: 5,335	wow! Now I can rough it for free Someone has to pay for this in the long run?

15-07-2008, 03:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
Spin Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,965	Ok, offering folks a bit of help is good for 6 months but the way things are going, in 6 months time the world economy will probably be worse than it is now. Very good chance of war in Iran an will oil be cheaper than it is today? All this talk of stimulating the economy with mega projects, pah! Those just grease the palms of key construction company owners forced with Burmese labour. Perhaps the answer is to raise the salary of those guys earning less than 6000 baht per month but that would mean greedy people have to become less greedy so that will never happen.

15-07-2008, 03:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
ray23 Aranyaprathet Last Online: 24-11-2008 07:28 PM Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 278	Thats great but the part that is missing from my understanding is you still hav to qaulify as a low income household . So lets see if live in Bangkok you can get to work for free maybe. If you travel in third class train hey it's freebie but how often do thais actually use a traint og o anywhere. we make gasoil cheaper great if the the older bikes and cars in the country could use the stuff. yep another great help. Oh ya by the way the cooking gas you use everyday is going to cost more. Yep this shoud do the trick. It rates up there with buying fuel from Russia that needs to be refined again to be usable here You save 8 baht for a liter build a new refiner costing billion of baht and you haven't even factored in tranporting the fuel yet. Oh ya that will end up being cheaper. You know sometime I wonder about the decesions here, but this one I'm not wondering about at all. Reminds me of the worlds largest bill board in Bangkok when Bush was here. The slums were still there, But were really not the because the bill board hid them Right!

15-07-2008, 04:00 PM	#7 (permalink)
good2bhappy Senior Member Last Online: Yesterday 11:34 PM Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Klong Samwa Posts: 5,335	It is a good sound bite for a floundering govt?

15-07-2008, 05:03 PM	#12 (permalink)
good2bhappy Senior Member Last Online: Yesterday 11:34 PM Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Klong Samwa Posts: 5,335	water consumption is measured in cubic litres

15-07-2008, 06:08 PM	#16 (permalink)
Thormaturge Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Thailand Posts: 2,196	Politicians could always donate half of their salaries to the poor and needy. Thaksion Shinawatra could sell Manchester City and donate the money to the people who helped him make it.

15-07-2008, 06:27 PM	#17 (permalink)
blackgang Senior Member Last Online: Yesterday 09:20 PM Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Phetchabun city Posts: 6,986	^ You have got to be kidding.