Bangkok: The mission to achieve a 5% GDP growth in Thailand hinges on honest politics and structural reforms, according to Dr. Kardee Leowpairoj, the Democrat Party's prime ministerial candidate. Amidst election campaigns, where political parties are addressing issues across politics, the economy, society, and foreign affairs, Dr. Kardee has presented a detailed concept focusing on long-term changes rather than short-term populist measures.
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Kardee's strategic goal is centered around championing "honest politics," highlighting the detrimental impact of corruption, which reportedly drains approximately 300 billion baht annually from the budget. In conjunction with over 100 billion baht from "grey capital," this amounts to a significant financial drain from the economic system. A notable proposal involves a "two-state platform" to enhance public participation in scrutinizing government budgets and projects, leveraging technology and data for transparency and accountability.
To achieve the ambitious GDP target, Dr. Kardee proposes transforming existing industries into future-oriented sectors. This includes building a domestic supply chain for the EV industry, investing in innovation to elevate agriculture to high-value production, and promoting quality tourism focused on wellness and community engagement. Additionally, investments in space technology and data centers aim to create jobs and advance national development through data analysis.
Addressing social inequality, the Democrat Party prioritizes "equality of opportunity" over direct financial aid. Dr. Kardee identifies the lack of access to education and skills development as a primary cause of inequality. The proposed "3,000 baht education voucher" would facilitate skills training in areas like AI, managed by the private sector and startups. A "skills wallet" system is also suggested to link acquired abilities to job opportunities.
In terms of welfare, Dr. Kardee promotes a "worker income guarantee" model, where the government subsidizes income differences based on provincial cost-of-living surveys. This targeted approach aims to provide necessary support without imposing excessive tax burdens on future generations.