The National Econ-omic and Social Development Board is turning its back on fast economic growth in favour of sustainable development.

The 10th economic development plan has sustainability as its main goal. To achieve that, the plan will recommend both corporate and personal tax reforms.

The plan, to be implemented in October, will be debated in detail this Friday at the NESDB annual seminar.

NESDB chief Ampon Kitti-ampon stressed the latest plan would focus on creating a sustainable society. There should be immunity against domestic and international imbalances. Human resources should be equipped with knowledge of capital movement, technology, the environment and new consumption values, he said.

To achieve these goals, the think tank suggested reforms in corporate and individual income taxation that would narrow income gaps. It wants to see an increase in public savings, restructuring of manufacturing and logistics, and less dependence on imported energy.

"Though these will mean less dramatic improvements in the economy, they will ensure more fairness in income distribution and the narrowing of income gaps," Ampon said.

In terms of tax reform, the NESDB urged the Finance Ministry to reconsider the fairness of all tax requirements. Ampon said that while customs revenue has dropped as a result of free trade, it is understood the country depends more on corporate and individual income taxes. He did not elaborate on the reforms.

At the annual seminar, Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will deliver an address on "Development strategies towards society with sustainable contentment". Group discussions on strategies to create a knowledge-based society, community development, competitiveness, natural resources allocation and good governance will follow.

In August, the plan will be presented to the National Economic and Social Advisory Council for consideration, before being forwarded to the Cabinet.

Ampon admitted that during the term of the ninth plan, Thailand's development depended on external forces.  If all strategies included in the eighth and 10th plans are implemented, he believed Thailand would be immune to external changes .