Thailand PM to unveil new policies to match key economic challenges

Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Tuesday said his cabinet would this week issue a raft of policies to lower the cost of living, suspend farmers' debts, draw more tourists and boost incomes.

Srettha and his 11-party government is presenting its largely populist policy agenda to the new legislature and inherits an underperforming economy struggling from weak demand for Thai exports and lower investor confidence.

Srettha, a real estate mogul and political newcomer, has come under fire in parliament for policies the opposition say are vague and lack clear direction. He said cabinet would formalise the plans on Wednesday and introduce them as soon as possible.


"I am not sure whether it will be a surprise or not but there are lots of policies that match the challenges," he told reporters.

Industrial sentiment hit a one-year low in August, despite the end of months of post-election deadlock, with concerns over weak exports and the slow recovery. Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisanpang told parliament exports might shrink up to 1% to 2% this year amid slowing global demand. Reuters