THAILAND - The Cabinet yesterday rejected the proposal to declare the rest of the week as a public holiday or put the country under a state of emergency because it might cause panic among tourists.
The government, meanwhile, has approved a Bt2-billion (S$83,000) budget for evacuation operations.
Before attending the Cabinet meeting, PM Yingluck Shinawatra dismissed speculation that the government was planning to declare public holidays in order to deal with the floods.
"It can't be done because the government needs all civil servants to help tackle flood-related issues," she said. If there are holidays, no officials will be available to distribute relief supplies.
Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit said he backed Yingluck fully and did not see any justification in imposing emergency rule due to the floods. He also called on all civil servants to help out. He said officials whose houses are flooded could take a leave of absence.
Individual taxpayers, meanwhile, will get a tax deduction of 1.5 per cent of the amount they contribute towards flood-relief efforts via state agencies, disaster assistance funds, charity organisations or the private sector from September 1 to December 31, Deputy Finance Minister Boonsong Teriyaphirom.
In a move to help affected businesses, the Revenue Department proposed tax measures to boost competition. The Cabinet approved the lowering of income tax for individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises.
In addition to the Bt2 billion put aside for rehabilitation measures, the government is also taking 10 per cent off each state agency amounting to Bt80 million in total for restoration measures, Government Spokeswoman Thitima Chaisaeng said. Apart from this, every Pheu Thai MP will contribute Bt10,000 each towards flood-relief operations via the Don Muang Centre.
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