Abhisit questions the growth reality
The prospect of a bright Thai economy raises scepticism for Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva who questions whether rural residents would be able to reap the fruits of a “growing” economy under a military-sponsored government.
In an interview with the Bangkok Post, Mr Abhisit listed his concerns about the Prayut Chan-o-cha administration, including the regime’s so-called power monopoly and Gen Prayut’s four controversial questions. But his biggest worry are the current economic growth indexes which the government refers to as a measure of prosperity, saying they may not accurately reflect the reality in many parts of the country.
Earlier forecasts by the Bank of Thailand and the Thai Chamber of Commerce said the economy is picking up. The BoT expected in May 3.4% GDP growth in 2017 while the business chamber increased the figure to between 3.5 and 4%, thanks to a recovery in global trade, higher exports and the state-initiated public-private partnership on mega-development projects.
The government may be happy to see economic growth inch towards 4%, but if people in rural areas are asked how they feel about the current economy, their answers may sit awkwardly with the experts, Mr Abhisit said.
They may doubt “to whom these beautiful numbers belong”, Mr Abhisit said, citing his observations that many people have yet to feel the stated benefits these numbers serve to represent.
One state agency which seems to believe in the promising economy is the Commerce Ministry. Last week, Mr Abhisit said, it encouraged people to start small businesses like opening kuay teow (noodle) shops. However, the fact is many shops in the food business are closing down, he said.
This raises a serious question, Mr Abhisit said, as to whether state agencies can really solve economic problems for people.
While t his question has yet to be answered, the government continues to create new controversial issues. One is what Mr Abhisit called the “power monopoly” of the National Council for Peace and Order through a new senate, which will be established under the 2017 charter.
Its organic bill on the selection of senators is being drafted by the Constitution Drafting Committee. It says the NCPO will have the final say on picking 250 senators.
Take the bill on the much touted 20-year national strategy as an example. The new charter requires the National Legislative Assembly to pass the law within one year after the promulgation of the constitution in April, but if the terms of lawmakers end, the Senate will do the job.
This apparently “hinders the participation of the lower house” in the law-making process which will affect national development for the next 20 years, Mr Abhisit said.
Mr Abhisit questioned whether the government is open-minded enough, but said “I’ve never doubted the good intentions of the prime minister.”
He also disagreed with the state’s ongoing effort to gather public opinion on Gen Prayut’s four questions about the future of Thai politics, which include the questions of what happens if the country does not have a new administration with good governance after an election and whether an election without a focus on national strategy and reform is acceptable.
Mr Abhisit said he does not expect a complete response from the public because only people who agree with Gen Prayut will air their views.