Udon Thani, The Prime Minister stated that he did everything possible but the Bank of Thailand did not reduce the policy interest rate. Points out that just one dime can help reduce the burden on the people. Explains that GDP in 2023 will grow less than 2% because there is no money in the system. Mr. Settha Thavisin, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Mentioning that GDP numbers for the 4th quarter of 2023 grew by 1.7% and for the whole year expanded by 1.9%, which is lower than neighboring countries. Everyone already knows that this government has not yet been able to use the budget. But every ministry has used policy as a driver. To stimulate the economy to make people's lives better. But today I have to admit that there is no new money entering the system at all. Many agencies continuously adjust GDP estimates downward every month. The government has tried to implement every available measure. 'I would like to leave you with this: Interest rate policy does not require a budget. Currently the policy interest rate is at 2.5%. If it is reduced to 2.25%, just one dime will help relieve the burden of all citizens. But they don't reduce it,' the Prime Minister said. When asked that the Prime Minister had been talking about this all along but had not received any response from the Bank of Thailand, the Prime Minister asked who controls the policy interest rate, the Bank of Thailand. He talked with the Secretary-General of the National Council of Thailand. He said that we had done everything we could. Including asking the Secretary-General of the NESDB. What is your opinion about reducing interest rates? which the Secretary General of the National Council of Thailand stated that he had talked with the Governor of the Bank of Thailand that it was time to reduce So he said, why don't you talk in front of the public? and talk in clear language 'Whether it is the Secretary of the National Council of Thailand or Governor of the Bank of Thailand and I graduated in economics. We didn't come to conquer each other. Bu t is it time to cut interest rates? Waiting for the budget to come out I inquired with the Secretary General of the National Council of Thailand. What else can you do? If there is anything that can be done, please offer it. I am not stuck with reducing interest rates alone. But reducing interest rates alleviates the burden of all Thai people. which is already seen for the numbers that came out digital policy Wallet tried to come out as quickly as possible,' the Prime Minister said. As for the case that many parties are concerned that adding 500,000 million baht to the system will cause inflation, the Prime Minister said that at present the inflation numbers are already negative. If we say that it is negative because the government helps the people through measures to reduce oil prices. or support the price of electricity If we remove the index here, inflation has risen to less than 1%, not yet reaching the lowest level. Many things that the government does take time. 'Including the digital wallet project, i f everyone agrees and can prove that there is no corruption and misconduct, we will try to do it as quickly as possible. want to happen By May and other policies are being attempted. The government is doing everything it can today and is happy to hear what it wants the government to do. But you must consider whether the budget can be used or not. April 1st at the earliest, from May. which is already trying to speed up. Source: Thai News Agency