Cabinet nod to widen Bt2,000 programme

The new recipients consist of 119,338 Local Administrative Organisations officials, 47,135 state-enterprises officers, 1,282 public-organisations officials, 154,200 military privates, 132,604 teachers and administrators at private schools and 80,000 administrators of organisations under the Constitution.

The programme was originally planned to benefit nearly 9 million earners. The Cabinet insists all of them will receive their cheques by April 8.

Meanwhile, Deputy Government Spokesman Supachai Jaisamut yesterday said the Cabinet agreed to increase Airports of Thailand's budget for Suvarnabhumi Airport's phase I by Bt11.23 billion to Bt13.5 billion.

Of the additional amount, Bt7.14 billion will be used to solve noise pollution around Suvarnabhumi Airport and the rest allocated to solve noise pollution inside the airport's buildings.

He said the budget was set in line with actual expenses involved and that the noise pollution around Suvarnabhumi Airport needed to be urgently resolved by the government, in order to ease the burden on nearby residents.