More public holidays eyed in bid to boost economy

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2020
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The Tourism and Sports Ministry is looking into the option of creating new public holidays in a bid to stimulate the economy, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said on Tuesday (September 15).

The idea was first proposed by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha.

Wissanu believes the additional days off will be added in November, because October already has several public holidays. He also said the extra days will tagged on to a weekend.

“We will speak to the Tourism and Sports Ministry on whether these extra holidays should be added to the end of Buddhist Lent or Loy Krathong festival so people can go travelling,” he said.

However, he added, the government is concerned that people may not have enough money to spend if additional public holidays are put in place later in the year.

Meanwhile, Prayut said extra public holidays must be announced early, so people have time to make travel plans.

"We have asked the Tourism and Sports Ministry to consider adding the extra days to the many public holidays in October," he said.