PM meets local residents in Songkhla

Around 3,000 residents of Rattaphum district of Songkhla greet Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva as he visited an office for community welfare yesterday./The Nation/Charoon Thongnual

The funds are now being implemented in 3,156 tambon across the country, covering 25,000 villages and comprising one million members.

There is now Bt601 million being saved up - 73 per cent of which is from members' savings, apart from the Bt727 million that will come from the government.

Speaking during his visit to Songkhla province, Abhisit said he expected that the project would continue to be carried out by future governments and not be abolished for political reasons. He said the project would encourage people to save money for their own use at all levels ranging from family to tambon to district and provincial layers.

Apart from community and government subsidies and support, the scheme also comprises support and subsidies from local administrative organisations. The fund is expected to cover all 3,156 tambon in the next two years.

The villagers called on Abhisit to put the fund scheme on the national agenda so that it would be supported by future governments too. In Songkhla alone, there are 138 funds comprising 120,000 members now collecting more than Bt56 million.

In a televised programme, which is part of the prime minister's weekly interview, the villagers gave Abhisit a birthday present and wished him a good political future. Social Development and Human Security Minister Issara Somchai, a Democrat Party MP, gave the party leader a personal gift.