Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin has declared the resolution of informal debts as a national priority, joining forces with the Interior Ministry, Finance Minister and the National Police to comprehensively address debt issues.
The prime minister along with Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, and Pol Gen Thana Chuwong, deputy national police chief announced the national effort to resolve informal debts.
Considered a root cause of societal problems, the government assessed the current household debts at approximately 50 billion baht and the actual figure may be higher.
The problem is too significant for the government not to intervene and find a solution. The government is coordinating efforts across various sectors, including the administration, police, and the Ministry of Finance, to prevent the public from falling into the cycle of informal debts again.
The government will act as an intermediary in resolving these debts, ensuring fairness for both creditors and debtors throughout the process, from initiation to repayment, he said.
The government will assist in restructuring debts, including terms and procedures. The Ministry of Finance will contribute its financial expertise to empower individuals to responsibly repay debt without negatively impacting their lives.
He is confident that with an improving economy, people will have better incomes and won’t need to resort to debt in the future. It also aims to increase opportunities for the grassroots people to access funds within the system.
Additionally, on December 12, the government will provide a comprehensive overview of debts, covering both debts within the system and outside the system.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin stated that the Interior Ministry will open a registration system for debt assistance starting from December 1. Citizens can register online at https://debt.dopa.go.th or, if residing in a district, register at the district office. For those in Bangkok, registration is available at every district office or through the 1567 hotline, operating around the clock. (TNA)
