Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has pledged to allocate 10 billion baht for projects to promote well-being in line with His Majesty the King’s sufficiency economy principle. He made the promise while presiding over a large public gathering here to pledge allegiance to the monarch on the occasion of his 80th birthday celebrations and show compassion towards southern people affected by the violent insurgency. Gatherings, involving around 50,000 people, took place across the country.

Gen Surayud said the projects would start in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat on March 21, adding every local administration would be able to make disbursements for the projects from the middle of this month. The project is aimed at improving the quality of life for people nationwide through the principles of the King’s self-sufficiency economy.

– Extracted from “PM earmarks B10bn for ‘well-being’“, Bangkok Post, 10 March 2007