Advisor to Southern Provincial Chamber of Commerce committee Panya Ongsakul (คุณปัญญา อ่องสกุล) expresses confidence that new Government under the administration of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat will be able to lead the country to prosperities.

Despite some changes made in the Cabinet lineup, Mr. Panya believes situations in Thailand will get improved as new Government’s stance is likely to be friendly and tough stance of former Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej’s regime has faded away. He says new Government may lead to negotiations from many sides in an effort to iron out the country’s problems.

In terms economic areas in Narathiwat province, Mr. Panya urges new Government to support and promote local economy, employment and local residents’ living conditions. He comments that previous populist policies did not stamp out root causes of problems, adding that high costs of living still remain and liquidity of local economy is not sustainable.

Mr. Panya says residents in the southernmost provinces at the moment spend their money on necessary products solely due to rising costs of living and gloomy economy. He says southern part of Thailand enjoy lucrative economy only in certain events, including New Year Festival, Songkran Festival and Hari Raya rite as these events result in a lump sum of cash inflow from both domestic and foreign tourists.

Source : National News Bureau, Public Relations Department of Thailand