Thai government offering more aid to rural areas and domestic tourism

The government says it’s looking at expanding its domestic tourism stimulus package to assist rural economies while helping airlines and others in the tourism sector with soft loans. Deputy PM Somkid Jatusripitak says urgent measures are needed to create jobs for those who have returned to their home provinces after losing their livelihoods as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.

He was speaking at a meeting attended by Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana, the governor of the Bank of Thailand, and representatives from the National Economic and Social Development Board.

A report in Thai PBS World says Somkid is urging the NESDB to prioritise job creation in rural areas in a 400 billion baht rehabilitation programme aimed at restoring economic stability. He adds that airlines and others in the tourism sector should be offered soft loans to manage cash flow problems and help them stay afloat.

Meanwhile, Minister Uttama says he’s asking the NESDB and the Thai Credit Guarantee Corporation to come up with solutions that will guarantee the credit provided to small to medium businesses while extending the deadline when loans need to be repaid. He adds that the government is looking at extending its Thiew Pan Sook (Happiness Sharing Tour) domestic tourism stimulus package to create more jobs in the tourism industry.

SOURCE: Thai PBS World