Ten political parties’ leaders and other members participated in a significant debate that Thai PBS hosted at its convention center on Friday night. Suthichai Yoon and Pornvadee Lathanadee moderated the event, which is a part of the public broadcaster’s coverage of the campaigns leading up to the general election next month.
On behalf of the general public, questions on the five topics that voters found most interesting were posed to the 10 party representatives.
There were four sessions to the discussion:
All of the party leaders and representatives were asked this question at the first session: “During the first six months, if they are in government, what will they do to change the image of Thailand?”
The purpose of the second session was for the party leaders and representatives to address important public policy queries gathered from nationwide public forums. They were the eradication of poverty and the care of the aged, as well as issues relating to welfare, health, and equality, the environment, and clean air.
The third session gave participants the chance to discuss and exchange ideas on populist policies, police reform, and military reform, among other topics of popular concern.
The participants had the opportunity to emphasize their key policies at the last session. Also put to them was, “If they are in the new government, what are the things they will not do for the country?”
Participants in the event included the leader of the Chartthaipattana party, Varawut Silpa-archa, the leader of the Bhumjaithai party, Anutin Charnvirakul, the leader of the Chart Pattana Kla party, Korn Chatikavanij, the leader of the Democrat party, Jurin Laksanawisit, the leader of the Thai Liberal party, Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, the leader of
Anutin, the leader of the Bhumjaithai party, responded to the first question regarding what the party will do to bring about changes in Thailand during the first six months of being in power by saying they will address quality of life and livelihood issues, institute a debt moratorium for three years, establish a fund to address the issue of household debt, set up 50,000-baht interest-free loans for the populace, and arrange life insurance for the elderly.
According to Korn Chatikavanij, the Chart Pattana Kla party will place an emphasis on expanding opportunities for people to make more money, bringing down the cost of living through changes to the price of energy, gasoline, and electricity, modifying discriminatory tax rules, and facilitating easier borrowing.
The leader of Chartthaipattana, Varawut, stated that his group will push for a new constitution, assist farmers in gaining access to water for farming, and lower gasoline prices.
Witaya Kaewparadai, a representative of the United Thai Nation party, declared that the party will keep the welfare card program going, ensuring that each of the 12 million cardholders will continue to get a monthly allowance of 1,000 baht and have improved access to loans. They will also address the issue of illicit drugs.According to Sereepisuth, some measures, including those to combat corrupt bureaucrats and illegal drugs, can be put into place right away without the need for more financing. He emphasized that the National Anti-Corruption Commission should be decentralized, with some of its tasks being shared with the police, because it is currently too centrally located.
Price guarantees for tapioca, rubber, and maize, according to Democratic leader Jurin, can be implemented swiftly, and money should be pumped into the economy through community banks, SME funds, and other channels so that the general population and SMEs have access to funding.
Pita, the leader of Move Forward, claimed that the party’s program on alcohol liberalization could be renewed and carried out without the need for a specific budgetary allocation and that there was sufficient of cooperatively owned land that could be handed to landless farmers for agricultural purposes.
Mingkwan of Palang Pracharat stated that the party has a plan to lower fuel, gas, and electricity costs.
Sudarat, the leader of Thai Sang Thai, declared that the party will prioritize assisting the less fortunate by modifying around 1,400 rules and regulations that are discriminatory to them. The party will also take care of Thai citizens from birth until old age by offering a 3,600 baht allowance, he added. She continued by saying that the party would reduce its armament budget.
Dr. Prommin of Pheu Thai asserted that the incoming administration must be dedicated to delivering services to the populace and encouraging increased salaries.
In addition to the government finding new markets for their produce and minimizing their debt, farmers must also be developed through education. Additionally, each Thai adult over the age of 16 will get 10,000 Baht in their electronic wallet.
