Here is the nutshell of Thailand’s Cabinet Meeting chaired by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha on April 7, 2020. This is posted on the Government Public Relations Department website.
Thailand Declares COVID-19 Situation Part of the National Agenda
The Cabinet, during its meeting on 7 April 2020, decided to declare the COVID-19 situation part of Thailand’s national agenda, according to Prime Minister and Defense Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha.
The Prime Minister said that the Cabinet had discussed three major issues. In the first issue, the 2020 national budget would be adjusted by increasing the amount in central fund for use to fight the COVID-pandemic.
The second issue involves two executive decrees, authorizing the Bank of Thailand to manage liquidity and direct funds, amounting to 900 billion baht, to the affected target groups.
The third issue involves an executive decree to allow the Ministry of Finance to secure a loan of one trillion baht. Out of the amount, 600 billion baht will be spent on pandemic-related health care and 400 billion baht on economic rehabilitation.
The Cabinet also acknowledged the proposal by the Ministry of Education to postpone the opening of the new semester of the 2020 academic year from 16 May 2020 to 1 July 2020.
The Prime Minister said that the Government is willing to listen to the views and remarks of all sides and is ready to assist both workers and entrepreneurs affected by the spread of COVID-19. He said that all ministries and agencies had been told to propose measures in tackling the COVID-19 situation.
However, their budget proposals to implement the measures must be screened, so that the national budget will be used for the maximum benefit and in accordance with the law.
He also stressed the Government’s firm intention to take care of the health of all Thais and called for their cooperation.