The Pheu Thai Party met voters in its stronghold of Bangkok's Sai Mai district yesterday, promising to lift small-scale traders out of economic stagnation.
Party core member Chadchart Sittipunt, who has been nominated as a Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate, said he has listened to complaints about the slow economy from vendors he met in the Wat Kohsuwannaram market.
He said the vendors complained of dwindling sales from reduced purchasing power over the past five years under the regime's rule.
At the same time, the cost of raw materials has gone up which contributes to the sluggish sales as prices of goods have to be raised to reflect the higher production costs, he said.
The small-scale traders said consumers were buying less, Mr Chadchart said.
He said Pheu Thai was working on a plan to systematically tackle the bread and butter issues as well as problems related to agriculture, which is a basic component in the production of consumer goods.
Pheu Thai was also looking at how to improve the capacities of the small and medium-sized enterprises which are needed to invigorate the economy, according to Mr Chadchart.
He added the party was pushing for several goals to be met, including creating a modern and equal society which is part of the "global village".
The Pheu Thai Party is sending Anudit Nakornthap to stand in the district.
Mr Chadchart said many communities in Sai Mai have informed him of rising rates of drug addiction in their neighbourhoods.
He also said people in his constituencies wanted the universal healthcare scheme or the gold card programme to be improved.
They said they needed a faster and more effective transfer of patients who are subscribers to the programme.
Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, another prime ministerial candidate, said she believes the Pheu Thai Party would end economic hardship in no time through "empowering" policies.
