BANGKOK, April 24 (TNA) – Prime minister Prayut
Chan-o-cha has repeated his call on the country’s multi-billionaires to offer
idea on easing the economic hardship stemming from COVID-19 pandemic.
The prime minister sent an open letter to 20 business moguls
last week asking them to help people through assistance projects. The move has drawn criticisms from opponents
who branded the government as “beggar.”
The government has insisted that it does not want cash
donations but their actions to help their own employees and ideas to stimulate
the economy. It has also disclosed the
open letter to the public.
On Friday, Prayut met with one of the 20 business leaders
during a presentation of insurance policies for medical personnel at Government
House.
He said he asked the chairman of BTS Group Holding to
respond to his request by sending him suggestions on how to address economic
woes in addition to the government’s measures.
The prime minister stressed that his intent was to engage
the billionaires in fixing the economy without offering anything in
return.
Prayut administration has also formed a panel of private
sector and academic to brainstorm on the best ways to cope with the economic
downturn.
In the open letter, Prayut wrote that “Thai people need
cooperation from all sectors, especially organizations that have knowledge,
capabilities and strengths.” While he
was impressed of how they assisted my people, Prayut asked them “to do more.”
(TNA)
