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 Of total, Bt18 billion is earmarked for the small and medium-sized loan programme (SML), Bt1.6 billion for the Village Fund, and Bt1 billion for farmers' debt suspension. Some would also be loaned through specialised banks.

 "Funds in the SML programme should reach all villages late April," Surapong said at a seminar hosted by Nation Group. He noted that more economic stimulus measures would be launched later on.

 Surapong said that to finance the SML programme, Bt15 billion would be shifted from the "Yoo Dee Mee Suk" programme initiated by the Surayud government and Bt3 billion from the central budget. He noted that Yoo Dee Mee Suk's funds did not reach all villages and fund allocation depended largely on officials' requests which led to conflicts of interest. However, he said, the SML fund would reach all.

 "People in the grass-roots level need the government's care. While this would help them, it would also stimulate the grass-root economy.

 He also noted that the debt suspension would be different from the previous measures, as eligible farmers need clear production plans to win the assistance.

- The Nation