The National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) has announced that the government is engaging all agencies to advance the 12th Plan to achieve its goals, aiming for a GDP growth of 5% per year and an increase in per capita income to $8,200.

Mr. Pramethi Wimolsiree, Secretary-General of the NESDB, revealed that the government aims to involve all sectors, including the Cabinet, the National Legislative Assembly, the National Reform Steering Assembly, government agencies, local administrative organizations, academics, and the public, to develop and drive the 12th Economic Development Plan to meet its targets for the years 2017-2036. This plan is the first of the 20-year national strategy.

For the 12th Development Plan, the government has set a GDP growth target of 5% per year and an income of $8,200 per person annually, up from the current $6,000. The plan includes the repeal and improvement of outdated laws, focusing on access to state welfare for people with disabilities and the elderly through the development of public housing projects, vocational skills development, land use issues, and promoting smart farming to add value for farmers.

Mr. Pramethi stated that the government aims to develop and create connections with countries in the region for economic and social security, which has led to an improvement in Thailand's trade facilitation ranking by the World Economic Forum (WEF), increasing from a score of 4.2 in 2015 to 4.4 in 2016.

Mr. Chaiwat Thongkamkoon, Director of the Office of Transport Policy and Planning (OTP), mentioned that the OTP's role is to provide opinions and recommendations on policies and master plans to guide the Ministry of Transport's direction.

He believes that water and rail transport should be increased and should become one of Thailand's main transport systems. It is fortunate that we already have a rail system in place, along with many rivers and canals in the country and coastal areas in the south, including the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. However, past utilization has been minimal. This government has prioritized the rail system, including double-track and high-speed trains, and has approved a significant budget for the Ministry of Transport to develop double-track railways.

Source: www.thaipost.net