"Anutin" Confident Foreigners Have Confidence in Thailand's Stability

Today (12 Feb) 10:10 AM at Government House, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, in his capacity as leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, addressed media reports that portrayed Thailand as the "sick man of Asia" and how he could assure the country's economic future. He stated that such analyses have been made under previous governments, but since the election, several foreign media articles have expressed concerns about Thailand's future prospects.

When asked by reporters whether one way to provide assurance was the composition of the economic cabinet and whether he could guarantee that outsiders would continue in their roles, Mr. Anutin replied that several factors contribute to this. He emphasized that the government has presented policies that the public believes are feasible and beneficial to the public, not just to a select few. He stressed the importance of maintaining fiscal discipline to ensure a strong economic foundation. He added that the government has proven its worth to international communities, particularly credit rating agencies, like Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Ekniti Nitithanprapha, through timely action, especially when there was a surplus budget. Instead of using those funds for populist programs like previous governments, they were used to repay debts to the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC). This showed foreigners that Thailand still maintains financial discipline, preventing a decline in Thailand's ranking and keeping it at a 3B Plus level. The improved business stability assessment from Tris Rating (Triple B Plus) demonstrates Thailand's continued credibility and attractiveness for foreign investment.

Regarding the unstable political climate with frequent changes in government, Mr. Anutin stated that this is a thing of the past. He believes the preliminary election results indicate a degree of political stability. The various factions and conflicts were not severe; everyone engaged in rhetoric and debates, but these remained within the campaign framework. Now that the election is over, everything is back on track, and there's no further escalation of conflicts. This is a positive sign that will strengthen this parliament.