Coss Posted July 6, 2011 Report Share Posted July 6, 2011 Link Priority is to foster reconciliation efforts Would-be prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra reaffirmed her commitment yesterday to a set of urgent tasks to tackle the country's pressing problems as soon as the new Pheu Thai-led coalition government is formally sworn into office. [color:gray] Yingluck Shinawatra chairs a meeting of Pheu Thai’s economic team at the party’s head office yesterday to map out urgent policies for the incoming government. THITI WANNAMONTHA[/color] Ms Yingluck yesterday reiterated the pledge, based on Pheu Thai's campaign platform, after chairing a meeting of the party's key figures and economic experts to discuss urgent measures to be implemented once the new coalition government takes office. Ms Yingluck said the first task would be to press ahead with national reconciliation as soon as possible, with the Truth for Reconciliation Commission chaired by Kanit na Nakorn given a free hand to proceed with national reconciliation efforts. She said the new government would also organise grand celebrations to mark His Majesty the King's 84th birthday on Dec 5 to show allegiance to the monarchy. The next task would be to turn around the economy by curbing rising living costs, increasing incomes of the public and promoting government investment. The new government would also restore relations with neighbouring countries and foreign countries at bilateral and multilateral levels. It is also important to boost the morale of government officials so they can work more efficiently for the good of the public, Ms Yingluck said, adding that corruption is another pressing concern that needs to be tackled immediately. Ms Yingluck said scrapping the Oil Fund to lower fuel prices is a crucial policy of Pheu Thai. This would bring down the price of premium petrol (benzene 95) by 7.5 baht a litre, regular petrol (benzene 91) by 6.7 baht and the diesel price by 2.2 baht. Ms Yingluck said the new government would revamp the national health insurance scheme with the 30-baht healthcare programme revamped. Drug suppression would be one of the government's top priorities too, she said. She said all these policies would be implemented immediately after she is sworn in as prime minister and delivers her government's policy statement to parliament - a precondition to legalising the government's administrative power as required by the constitution. Ms Yingluck said the make-up of the new cabinet would be clear after the Election Commission formally confirms the election results. She dismissed suggestions that Pheu Thai would keep 10 key ministries to itself and said that forming a new cabinet is a tough task. But she said those who would be picked to sit in the cabinet must have the proper credentials to be ministers. As for the finance portfolio, Ms Yingluck said preference would be given to Pheu Thai MPs, although non-MP members stand a chance if they have suitable qualifications and have the same line of thinking as Pheu Thai. She said the new foreign minister must get along well with ministry officials and gain recognition from foreign countries, particularly Cambodia. The new defence minister should be able to communicate well with the armed forces, Ms Yingluck said. She also said Cambodia has also written to congratulate her on her victory in the election. Sanoh Thienthong, a Pheu Thai list MP-elect, said party executives have already finalised the cabinet line-up. All of the nominees for the cabinet posts are capable people and they are qualified for the ministerial positions. The new cabinet has no members of the red shirt movement or of the Thienthong family, Mr Sanoh said. [color:brown]Gen Panlop Pinmanee, Pheu Thai's campaign director in Lop Buri and former deputy director of the Internal Security Operations Command, said he did not want the defence portfolio. He said former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra had asked him during a telephone conversation to oversee security affairs. "This [probably] means being a deputy prime minister in charge of national security and this is just what I want," Gen Panlop said, adding that Thaksin, Pheu Thai's de facto leader, has yet to decide who would be given the defence portfolio. A Pheu Thai source said Gen Traisak Inthararassamee, former chief of the 23rd Army Circle, has emerged as another contender for the defence portfolio. Gen Traisak is also Thaksin's Class 10 friend from the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School. Gen Traisak, now a Pheu Thai Party member, played a key role in helping Pheu Thai to secure many seats in Surin and Ubon Ratchathani in the election. But Gen Traisak yesterday said he did not aspire to be defence minister and that he preferred to maintain a low profile.[/color] Meanwhile, Thai Farmers Association vice-chairman Wichian Phuanglamchiak yesterday said many farmers nationwide opposed the Chartthaipattana Party taking the agriculture portfolio again. Mr Wichian said the former agriculture minister from the party in the Abhisit Vejjajiva government had failed to solve the problems besetting farmers, such as drought, flooding and falling prices of farm products. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkoktraveler Posted July 7, 2011 Report Share Posted July 7, 2011 30 baht health plan? I thought the 30 baht was done away with several years ago. What changes does she want to make to health care? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted July 7, 2011 Report Share Posted July 7, 2011 She says she wants to bring it back, but I didn't hear her say she wants to actually fund it! That is what killed it before. Takky did not, and hospitals ended up withdrawing from the programme because it was costing them hundreds of millions. How can you treat someone for serious diseases for just 30 baht ... if the government isn't picking up the tab? That alone tells you it was just a vote getter for Takky, not a serious measure. << Drug suppression would be one of the government's top priorities too, she said. >> Bang .. bang .. time again??? Nice to see that Takky ... a banned politician ... is still taking an active hand. Does he want to see this government thrown out because it is led by a banned politicians? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThaiHome Posted July 7, 2011 Report Share Posted July 7, 2011 The health care plan is still in place and is at least funded to a certain extent. The 30 baht co-pay was indeed done away with and now it is free. TH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted July 7, 2011 Report Share Posted July 7, 2011 Lead story is The Nation today is the concern of the business community that Pheu Takky could bankrupt the economy if Yingyang tries to keep all of PT's campaign promises. p.s. I'd have sworn that picture was photoshopped, but it turns out it isn't she just naturally looks like her head has been stuck on someone else's body. She's still an old maid. Now is your chance, BMs. Go for it! Bet Crazy Jack would do her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pom Michael Posted July 7, 2011 Report Share Posted July 7, 2011 She's married with a kid. Common Law Marriage (but typical for Thailand) - even Chuan was not officially married if I remember correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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