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Songkran festival is orderly. The public should be careful in traveling back.

Good morning my Thai fellows, I hope it is not too late to say “Happy New Year” to you all. During the past 3-4 days, most of us celebrated Songkran Festival, or so-called “Thai New Year”. It is also the period when the National Elderly Day and the National Family Day are also celebrated. This year I hope everyone will enjoy Songkran Festival after two years that the political unrest affected living lives of all Thais including tourism. Songkran Festival Celebration in overall picture was joyful yet orderly. However, there were some inappropriate cases upsetting the public happened during this period, I will talk about it later. Now it is the time that many people start travelling back, mainly, to Bangkok. I would like you all to be careful in travelling. Although six days of monitored seven dangerous day has passed and the statistics of death toll, accidents, and injuries decrease to a certain level, comparing to last year, I and the government would like you all to be careful in travelling. We do not expect any losses to happen so please be mindful. And I wish you all have a safe trip back home and be ready for start working in the next following days.

Condolence to the family losing their loved one and admiration to the operational team sacrificing their lives in a recent shocking incident

One of the incidents shocking and saddening many people was the case of a guy harming police officers that caused casualties - a taxi driver and police officers. I would like to pass my condolence to the families losing their loved ones and admire those who worked or sacrificed their lives to help maintain peace and order in the country as a good citizen.  Recently, I had a chance to visit the casualties – the police officers and the doctor taken hostage. They were mentally strong and safe right now.  The police officers working dedicatedly and the taxi driver who sacrificed his life in this incident are good citizens that deserve our respect and honor.

Fullest supports go to the lost families and the casualties

Additionally, in term of aids to the lost families and the casualties, it is now being reviewed according to the current state principle. Some foundations and concerned organizations are also working on providing assistance to them, especially the families losing their members, to whom the support in term of living security has to be provided. For the police officers, it would not be an issue as it can operate immediately in accordance with the policy.  I have already assigned a representative to talk with their wives and children about housing and career. For the taxi driver, I will bring this issue to discuss further with all concerned to find more ways to help his family as he is an honorable citizen.

Efficiency in tackling drug problem needed to be improved. The Prime Minister will call a meeting of all concerned organizations to determine further actions

The incident reflects the severity of drug problem that still remains in our society. I would like to reaffirm that the government has tried to prevent and suppress the drug problem and to deal with it in every dimension. In the past two years, the number of suppression has increased since the state officers have taken this problem seriously. This incident reflects wider expansion of problem even though the police have attempted to destroy the network of drug trafficking, especially network of big drug agents. Hence, the efficiency of tackling drug problem needed to be improved.

Meanwhile, we need to expedite drug addict treatment more effectively. Although now the drug addicts, whom we consider “patients,” are provided addiction treatment immediately after sentencing or when they express their wills for rehabilitation, it is not sufficient. After Songkran I am going to call a meeting of all concerned to discuss and brainstorm and determine additional measures to monitor, solve the problem and improve the operational framework in accordance with the policy and to make it more efficiently. This is one of the three main issues that we will talk during the meeting. Drug is a serious problem that can destroy families, individuals, society or even national security.

This Monitor economic crisis and discuss with Energy and Finance Ministers to review transportation cost and to find additional tackling measures

One of the 2 important factors that are significant to Thailand’s economy that are going to be discussed during the meeting is oil price. Now the government has controlled the price of diesel to be not over 30 baht to avoid rising transportation cost and consumer product prices. The subsidies have caused the Oil Fund’s money to be lower than 10,000 million baht. Still, it is the positive figure since previously we have collected some money and funded the Oil Fund. The subsidies are likely to last until end of this month, therefore,  I will discuss with the Energy Minister and the Finance Minister on this matter tomorrow. Previously, we increased the excise, especially on diesel, I will invite both to discuss how we can prevent effects toward costs of transportation and products.

The Oil Fund may not be able to support after end of this month, if there aren’t any adjustment or any other additional measures to help. The current crude oil price in the global market or diesel price in the referred market is fluctuating. As long as the situation in the middle east or the situation in Libya is not secure, the problem of speculation or the psychological effects will cause rising of the crude oil price. This is another matter that we will discuss during the meeting tomorrow to find the solution for the public.

Assure peace and order will be brought back to Thailand after general election

Politics is another hot issue at the moment. Although it is often analysed or said in the news concerning political situation that coup d’etat possibly take place, I would like to affirm that at the moment peace and order are being brought back to Thailand. The key mechanic is general election process. I think that the political tension has been improved and eased comparing to the last two years. One reason is that the direction is clear now that we are moving forward to the general election. At the moment, the only obstacle is the issue of three organic laws. In fact, we can proceed election without waiting for the three organic laws to be approved as the revised gazette opens a room for the Election Commission can issue the regulation for the use of election. However, I would like to seek cooperation from the Members of the Senate, including the new ones through the selection process, to pass these laws as soon as possible. This is to meet the timeline that I will raise the issue of dissolving the Parliament for the King’s approval within the first week of May. I would say that this direction will create confidence in every aspect. Although it is not the answer for every question and it doesn’t mean that every problem will be solved, stepping into election process is important in enhancing the global assembly’s confidence in situation in Thailand. I am sure that the elected government that got the anonymity from the public will be a factor that change Thailand’s situation in a positive way. Some issues will be solved, some new problems may happen but the important thing is that we can bring stability and political security back to Thailand so that we can solve the problems for the public more efficiently.

Government does not take advantages for their election campaigns and votes. The election will be to be fair and acceptable for all sides.For the upcoming election, I am going to discuss with the Election Commission on how to ensure that this election will be fair to all parties. The framework of the ruling government during this period will be determined. All parties can be confident that the government, as the ruling parties, will not take advantages for the election campaign or the votes. The election will be truly fair and acceptable for all.

Examine value of damages to expedite grant-in-aid payment to the flood victims and accelerate building temporary houses as soon as possible

For the grant-in-aids to recover damages on assets or agricultural products caused by the floods, examination of damages is expedited for the grant-in-aid payment. We will talk more about this later. For the matter of housing, in some areas, for example, Krabi, except those areas where people cannot be back to live, temporary shelters for the flood victims in the forms of knockdown house, tent, or row shack are under construction now.  Also temporary shelter construction will be expedited in Nakorn Srithammarat and Surathani. As for permanent house construction, we have to determine specific areas since many are not suitable or safe to live anymore. In some areas, people do not agreed with the state officers on its safety. For example, some people would like to go back and live in their old areas but the state views that it is not safe anymore. Or in some areas the state views that it is safe but the people are still worried. We will figure this out as fast as we can. The temporary houses will be finished as soon as possible since some places that people have been evacuated to, such as schools, will open in the next few weeks. I would like to inform that every unit has solved the problem with their fullest efforts in order to ease the situation and bring normalcy back as soon as possible. In a few moments we will have a talk with representatives from some concerned organizations regarding to disasters to discuss about flood and drought to find the ways to solve the problem in the long run.