Thai PM orders concerned agencies to closely monitor euro debt crisis

BANGKOK, June 16 (TNA) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has ordered concerned agencies to closely monitor the ongoing euro debt crisis, as a precaution for any negative impact, directly or indirectly, on the Thai economy. Speaking during her weekly broadcast Saturday morning, Yingluck said the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Thailand (BOT) have been among the concerned agencies she ordered to collect updated information, monitor the situation of the European debt crisis and analyse whether the problem will have any impact on the Thai economy. Yingluck insisted that the monitoring is vital to strengthen the national economy and to prevent the Euroepan debt woes from affecting the country’s business sector. According to the prime minister, the Ministry of Commerce has reported it has already discussed with exporters on what they need; while her government is preparing to help solve problems confronted by local industries and small-and medium-sized enterprises, as well as tourism-related businesses. Meanwhile, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittirat Na-Ranong, who heads the government's economic team, suggested that preparations could help ease any impact from the European debt crisis, assuring that the Thai government would be able to handle domestic implications and is prepared to provide assistance to the local private sector, if affected. (TNA)