Parliament set to scrutinise huge infrastructure plans

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Government set to defend massive loan

Projects needed to 'keep up with the neighbours'

Published: 18 Mar 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

The government is set to defend its plan to borrow 2.2 trillion baht to fund a seven-year infrastructure overhaul when the issue comes up for parliamentary scrutiny next week.

Work to connect the bridge across the Chao Phraya River for the MRT Purple Line in Nonthaburi is almost complete. The 23km line from Bang Sue to Bang Yai is expected to be finished in October 2015. (PATTARAPONG CHATPATTARASILL)

A detailed list of sub-projects and budgets required will be tabled before the cabinet tomorrow and is expected to be scrutinised by the parliament on March 27-28.

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ggh
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Discussion 28 : 19 Mar 2013 at 18.4628
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Dis 27 - A rice cartel would only be marginally effective. Obviously people don't have to eat rice. The PT rice pledging scheme was not meant to be sustainable over a long term time period. It is meant to give farmers added income short term to help them adjust to a more sustainable type of farming. Diversification is required. If the farmer relies only on rice harvest, they will always be poor. I believe this is the idea behind zoning of farm land. Give the country a better balance of crop production. The farmers also know this subsidy will not last forever. The Dems scheme was also unsustainable.
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banmebkk
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Discussion 27 : 19 Mar 2013 at 17.3827
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@Disc 25 - All parties have populist policies, but some are just outrageous and not sustainable. The DEMs rice pledge was peg to the market price and moves with it, which is more fair and sustainable. The PTP's is peg to their own dream with Thaksin trying to create a rice cartel. You do know that, that was Thaksin's plan on trying to make farmers rich, but happily none of Thailand's neighbors agree to that crazy idea.
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g.manont
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Discussion 26 : 19 Mar 2013 at 07.5426
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.
D.16. " ...Flood Plan ..."

Yesterday, I was driven by BKK-Ayudhaya, I saw some construction way down in the middle of the road, " It's to preven flood ", driver explained to me.

" What, with all the money and you see some long lane divider which can't be higher that 1.5 metre."

" That's what it is ".

And I heard over the radio, " How does it feel, to be on your own, like a rolling stone " Bob D.

.
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ggh
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Discussion 25 : 19 Mar 2013 at 04.3525
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Dis 24 – the point I am making is that both schemes are populous policies geared at giving handouts paid by the tax payers, wealth redistribution is you will. Much of Democrat policy is very similar to PT. It revolves around two things, power and money. Interesting to see the strengthening of the baht recently. Foreign investors seem to be very bullish at the moment. This is being blamed on weak economies in the EU and US. But with the government being accused of recklessly borrowing and spending money, why would investors want to invest in Thailand? Or is there more to it than we know?
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englishbob
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Discussion 24 : 18 Mar 2013 at 19.4024
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Disc 23 GGH - compared to Peua Thai's scheme?
The scheme that ruined Thailand's principle export?
The one that looks like costing half a trillion baht per YEAR?
The one that the Bank of Agriculture just complained about? Saying it doesn't have enough money to cover the cost?
The one Peua Thai just RENEWED??!!

About 6-8% as much (Plus it was faster, fairer, much less corrupt and in a blind test, preferred by rice farmers)
What's your point?
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ggh
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Discussion 23 : 18 Mar 2013 at 18.4023
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Dis 19 - How much was it that the Dem's rice pledging program lost?
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soltair
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Discussion 22 : 18 Mar 2013 at 18.2822
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dao # Discussion 11, Yes that airport and lets not forget that Yaowapa Wongsawat received the award to make the parking lots at Suwanabum, all in the family. Now there is smoke that she will be groomed to be PM?
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BKK-boy
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Discussion 21 : 18 Mar 2013 at 17.4921
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Discussion 14: you ask where the money comes from? To get a 1year visa, we need to give prove of a montly income of 65000 THB. The Thai government considers this amount as a minimum to have a decent live in Thailand. They still have to increase the minimum salaries to reach this 65000 THB/month for their workforce. If I want to move to Portugal f.i., a European country, I need to prove income of about 400€/month (15000 THB). If Thailand should not have so many (crazy?) tourists coming to, and farang living in Thailand (with about no rights but many financial obligations), Thailand financially should be nowhere. Myanmar as a good alternative
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john49
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Discussion 20 : 18 Mar 2013 at 17.3920
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Obviously, part of the money won't be coming from the 'government trumpeted profits' of the rice pledging scheme.
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englishbob
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Discussion 19 : 18 Mar 2013 at 17.3519
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Disc 18 -GGH - While you're reading that newspaper, what does it say about the rice policy? Doesn't it say even the Agricultural Bank thinks it's a terrible idea? And that they don't have enough money to cover it?

Wonder if PT's plans for education will involve simple arithmetic.
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Parliament set to scrutinise huge infrastructure plans | Bangkok Post: news

Government set to defend massive loan

Projects needed to 'keep up with the neighbours'

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