"New Thailand" foreseen after flooding crisis

BANGKOK, November 4 (TNA) - Army Commander-in-Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Friday that he foresees "new Thailand" in the wake of the ongoing flooding crisis. General Prayuth insisted that the "new Thailand" is now possible if the general public, government staff and other groups in the Thai society understand and cooperate in a unified and strong force to turn the ongoing flooding crisis, the worst in the country's history, into a best opportunity for all. General Prayuth acknowledged that several countries have achieved the goal and the international community, including global investors, is keeping a close watch on whether Thailand can get through the ongoing crisis and then meet the ambitious goal, with business security established for international investors' confidence. Regarding to a government policy on cutting state budget allocated to all ministries, including the Ministry of Defence, by 10 per cent each in the 2012 fiscal year, beginning from October 1, 2011, to have more funds to sponsor official rehabilitation plans in the wake of the ongoing vast floods, the Thai army chief said that the Royal Thai Army will take sacrifices for the sake of the nation and is ready to support all other agencies in quickly resolving the flood crisis. The army commander-in-chief suggested that all parties concerned study and follow His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's advice on integrated and sustainable water management to end the country's global warming-borne repeated and expanding flooding. (TNA)