Pheu Thai yesterday unveiled its economic policies aimed at "fattening people's wallets" while the Chart Pattana Party revealed its platform on urban issues to woo Bangkok voters.
At a meeting to prepare potential Pheu Thai election candidates for the March 24 polls, Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, head of the party's strategic committee, focused on economic hardship.
She also introduced former deputy prime minister Kittiratt na Ranong and former transport minister Chadchart Sittipunt as leaders of the party's economic team.
According to Khunying Sudarat, the election will allow Thais to choose a party that will rid them of their economic woes. Without strong hands to steer the economy through tough times, the country could be in even worse shape this year, she said.
"Thais will have to choose in whose hands -- between a government with military expertise and a government with economic expertise -- to entrust their future," she said. Khunying Sudarat, tipped to be one of the party's prime ministerial candidates, claimed Pheu Thai would end economic hardship in no time through "empowering" policies.
These would place emphasis on farmers, SMEs, exports, tourism and related businesses and young entrepreneurs, who in return would increase the country's purchasing power and generate and drive growth. "We are confident we have what it takes to end economic hardship quickly. We'll create jobs and 'fatten' people's wallets," she said.
According to Khunying Sudarat, Pheu Thai would also invest in human development, healthcare, and public infrastructure systems to strengthen the country and safeguard its growth. She said the party would unveil specialist teams in other areas soon.
Meanwhile, the Democrat Party yesterday hit the campaign trail in Pathum Thani where leader, Abhisit Vejjajiva, voiced support for electing provincial governors who would enjoy greater flexibility in managing provincial affairs.
He also said Pathum Thani and Bangkok should be better connected with more comprehensive transport links such as extending electric train routes from the capital.
The Chart Pattana Party led by chief adviser Suwat Liptapanlop yesterday introduced 30 potential MP candidates for Bangkok. The party aims to campaign under a "Bangkok No Problem" policy that seeks to address pressing urban development issues such as environment, transport and safety.
Mr Suwat said the party was responding to input from city residents and its decision to field candidates in all the 30 constituencies showed its ambition to compete as a national party rather than a regional one. Prospective candidates include 2006 Miss Thailand World Melisa Mahapol and Yaowapa Burapolchai, who won an Olympic medal in taekwondo in 2004.
