Bangkok:The Democrat Party's economic team has urged the government to implement immediate support measures for urban poor and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) affected by the recent flood crisis.
According to Thai News Agency, during a press conference at the Parliament building, Mr. Korn Chatikavanij, Dr. Kardee Leowpairoj, and Mr. Trirat Sirichantaropas from the Democrat Party highlighted the urgent need for government intervention. They proposed deploying soft loans through the Government Savings Bank to prevent affected individuals and businesses from resorting to high-interest informal debt.
Mr. Korn Chatikavanij emphasized the scale of the damage, noting that many shops, restaurants, and essential vehicles have been affected, with some people losing nearly a week's income. He stressed the importance of accessible formal loans, proposing a scheme where the Government Savings Bank offers loans ranging from 20,000 to 200,000 baht with favorable terms, including an initial interest-free period.
Dr. Kardee Leowpairoj supported the call for streamlined government relief, suggesting the use of existing databases and technological innovations to expedite loan approvals. He advocated for an expanded compensation framework that includes tools and equipment vital for livelihoods, beyond just structural damage.
Mr. Trirat Sirichantaropas urged the ruling party to honor its campaign promises by utilizing AI systems for efficient data verification and prompt compensation disbursement. He called for the immediate implementation of a 100,000 baht compensation fund for those impacted by the disaster.
Furthermore, Mr. Korn highlighted the plight of migrant workers and tenants in flood-affected areas, advocating for a shift in focus from property to personal compensation, ensuring support reaches all those genuinely affected by the floods.