Other concerns not considered as serious but needing solutions in the next 10 years are water management, education and social problems like corruption, said Gothom Arya, chairman of an NESDB advisory council.

Gothom said the 10th plan would be based mainly on human resource development and the self-sufficiency principle advocated by His Majesty the King.

Other key factors will be based on moderation and modernisation.

The entire scheme would include the public, state authorities, business sector and mass media.

Dr Worraphol Sokhatiyanurak, a council deputy leader, said a seminar would be held at Chulabhorn Institute next month to brainstorm ideas from NESDB policy-makers and officials from government agencies. Information will be used to develop a master plan and then the 10th national plan.

The draft of the 10th plan must be completed by the end of this month before evaluation and government approval. It is scheduled to take effect on October 1.

As for the national priorities, Worraphol said alternative fuels should be used to ease the oil-price crisis.

Household debts need to be reduced through good financial policies and state subsidies in the agricultural sector. Foreign trade needs to be boosted in order to achieve currency gains and to encourage the export sector.

Water management needs to improve in order to protect the environment while natural disaster management needs to be addressed nationally.

Anan Paengnoy

The Nation