Bangkok: The Thai Sang Thai Party engaged in discussions with the Thai Chamber of Commerce to deliberate on pressing economic and anti-corruption strategies, emphasizing their importance as national priorities for the upcoming government.
According to Thai News Agency, the discussions were led by Dr. Poj Aramwattananon, Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Thai Chambers of Commerce, alongside Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, leader and prime ministerial candidate of the Thai Sang Thai Party, and Dr. Phokin Pholkul, another prime ministerial candidate from the party. Their dialogue aimed at sharing policies and ideas that span economic, social, and political dimensions to propel the country forward.
Dr. Poj highlighted the critical nature of Thailand's current economic fragility, stressing the need for the new government to possess a clear vision and commitment to steer the country's economic recovery. He asserted the readiness of the private sector to collaborate with the government, regardless of the Thai Sang Thai Party's role in government or opposition. Cooperation between public and private sectors, he noted, is vital for national growth. Dr. Poj also underscored the Zero Corruption framework, a private sector initiative to combat corruption, as a necessary national agenda for the new government.
Khunying Sudarat affirmed that combating corruption is a flagship policy for the Thai Sang Thai Party, proposing a national agenda to address it. She advocated for a "social contract" against corruption among politicians, emphasizing its detrimental impact on the nation. The party supports the creation of a citizen-based National Anti-Corruption Commission, allowing private sector involvement, and a petition mechanism enabling citizens to remove corrupt officials.
Economically, the Thai Sang Thai Party underscores the importance of private sector involvement. Their economic policies, outlined under "Economy, Livelihoods, and Debt," aim to stimulate economic activity, support SMEs, create jobs, address informal debt, and improve funding access for small entrepreneurs. A proposed Thai Sang Thai Fund, with an initial 30 million baht budget, would involve significant private sector participation.
The talks also explored leveraging Thailand's strengths in food, health, and tourism, while aiming to enhance citizens' quality of life through education, workforce skills, business, and agriculture development.
In conclusion, Khunying Sudarat stated that the dialogues with the Thai Chamber of Commerce reflected a mutual understanding on many issues. She affirmed that the economic and anti-corruption strategies discussed align with the Thai Sang Thai Party's policies, expressing hope for continued collaboration with the private sector.