Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat, in his ongoing efforts to tackle traffic congestion head-on, recently made an unconventional choice for his transportation to a crucial meeting with the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). Opting for a motorcycle taxi, Pita made a statement by selecting this mode of transport for the second time since his party emerged as the winner in the general election, securing the most house seats.
On May 18, Pita deliberately bypassed the usual traffic snarls by hopping on a motorcycle taxi, making his way to a prominent hotel where he convened an important post-election meeting. It was during this gathering that he officially announced the formation of his coalition government, highlighting the reasoning behind his unconventional choice of transportation: the need to avoid the notorious traffic congestion that plagues the city.
Before entering the FTI meeting, Pita made his intentions clear. He aimed to delve into the details of the six proposals put forth by the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry, and Banking. Furthermore, he sought to elucidate his party’s economic policies, taking into account the sluggish global economy, in order to provide business leaders with a comprehensive understanding of the MFP’s platforms and objectives.
One of the key electoral promises of the MFP was an immediate raise in the minimum wage to 450 baht, should they emerge victorious. Pita disclosed his plan to gather insights from the private sector and labor representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) regarding the minimum wage. Later in the week, he intended to engage in discussions with his party’s transition panel and coalition partners to explore the possibilities of implementing this policy. Pita underlined the support of the Pheu Thai Party, the second-largest party in the coalition, for the proposed increase in the minimum wage.
In the midst of these developments, Isares Rattanadilok na Phuket, Vice Chairman of the FTI, expressed a positive outlook on the upcoming meeting. He anticipated that the gathering would foster greater comprehension and instill confidence concerning crucial matters such as daily wages, electricity and water costs, and the potential reforms of laws that impede economic growth. Furthermore, he praised the level of collaboration and cooperation already underway between the core party of the newly formed government and the private sector.
