PM Abhisit says 2010 economy should grow over 4%

BANGKOK, Feb 13 (TNA) -- An improving global economy is good news for Thailand, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Saturday, when taping his pre-recorded weekly Sunday morning address to the nation, affirming that he is now optimistic that Thai economy will grow over 4 per cent this year.

Recording his weekly TV talk entitled ‘’Confidence in Thailand and Prime Minister Abhisit’’ to be telecast Sunday morning, at Government House, Mr Abhisit said some experts had even forecast that the Thai economy will expand as much as five per cent thi year.

However, he said that an optimistic projection might be premature because problems with certain government-sponsored projects are now apparent. For example, the government still cannot disperse its budget for the Thai Khem Kaeng (Stronger Thai) project as planned, and some industrial projects at the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate are stalled by court order.

Mr Abhisit said his government may need to reduce the amount of the loan to be borrowed for the Thai Khem Kaeng project. Instead of borrowing, the government may spend money on projects from its ordinary budget.

The Thai Khem Kaeng project aims to stimulate the economy through mega-projects.

As Mr Abhisit's motorcade was on an expressway en route to Government House from his home, a passenger car driven by a teenager with at least one teenaged passed tried to overtake it.

Security officials blocked the vehicle from overtaking the prime minister's limousine, forcing the car to the expressway berm and a to stop, but the prime minister’s convoy proceeded to Government House without stopping.

Again, on his return from Government House, Mr Abhisit's motorcade was disrupted by a taxi but a security vehicle blocked the taxi and let the prime minister's car proceed.

A taxi bearing stickers promoting the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), the Red Shirts. (TNA)