Imagine a picturesque setting at Ban Green Valley in Mae Rim district, Chiang Mai province, where the aromas of sumptuous dishes blend with the crisp, highland air. Here, a power dinner like no other takes place, featuring Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, engaging in hearty conversations with none other than the enigmatic former prime ministers Thaksin Shinawatra and Somchai Wongsawat, Thaksin’s brother-in-law. The significance of this gathering? It’s not just a meeting of minds; it’s a confluence of past, present, and future, where culinary delights meet the heavyweight discussions of Thailand’s political sphere.
On a particularly insightful day, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin made a vow that felt like the break of dawn after a long, dark night for nearly three million civil servants. In a passionate pledge, Thavisin promised to tackle the Goliath of debts that has long loomed over the lives of these individuals. With the fervor of a finance minister, and indeed, wearing that very hat, Thavisin highlighted an ambitious vision to lower interest rates, aiming to lighten the heavy yoke of debt burdening the shoulders of countless workers.
In an earnest meeting that saw the coming together of the heads of 11 state agencies, Thavisin painted a picture of hope, highlighting the fruitful endeavors undertaken in the last two months to address this pressing issue. These are not mere words tossed in the wind; they are seeds of change, promising positive results that could very well prevent what Thavisin ominously termed a “national disaster.”
Central to Thavisin’s strategy is the appeal to financial institutions, a call to arms if you will, urging them to lower interest rates to offer some respite to the weary borrowers. Despite the steadfast stance of the Bank of Thailand, Thavisin’s resolve remains unshaken. He extends his hand in partnership to the Cooperative Promotion Department (CPD), rallying them to join the government’s crusade against the debt menace posthaste, as the specter of significant debt looms over many a civil servant and state employee.
The narrative takes a turn towards the Student Loan Fund (SLF), with Thavisin seeking to forge a path to relief for those ensnared by the formidable 18% interest rate annually. It’s a tale of determination, a quest to turn the tides against the surging waves of financial strain.
Enter Pol Gen Kittirat Phanphet, the deputy police chief and the valiant deputy chair of the government committee on people’s debts, who brings forth a startling revelation – about 2.8 million civil servants drowning in a sea of debt totaling more than 3 trillion baht. Despite their valiant efforts to keep afloat, many find themselves barely gasping for air, their livelihoods suffocated by the relentless pressure of repayments.
Kittirat doesn’t just lay bare the stark realities; he sounds the clarion call for urgent aid, highlighting the dire necessity for intervention as non-performing debts spiral out of control. He advocates for a revolution, a reformation of relevant laws to pave the way for fair negotiation and settlement, a beacon of hope for the beleaguered many.
In an echo of solidarity, Defence permanent secretary Gen Sanitchanok Sangkhachan shares insights into the measures undertaken by the ministry to shield its personnel from the tempest of financial woes. It’s a collective endeavor, a united front against the daunting challenge of debt.
This isn’t just a story of financial strategies and economic maneuvers. It’s a tale of resilience, a saga of a nation rallying together to hoist its people from the depths of despair to the promise of brighter days. Through dinners and discussions, through vows and visions, Thailand is scripting a narrative of hope and recovery, spearheaded by the steadfast resolve of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and his allies. The journey may be fraught with challenges, but the spirit of perseverance shines undiminished, lighting the path towards a future unburdened by debt.
Be First to Comment