STIMULUS FUNDING INCREASED

       The Transport Ministry has endorsed a Bt4.46-billion budget for three Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (Aerothai) projects under the Thai Khemkhaeng package, which is now capable of investing up to Bt1.287 trillion from 2010-12.
       The Cabinet yesterday raised the investment budget under the three-year economic-stimulus package by Bt227 billion, thanks to higher government revenue as a result of economic recovery.
       Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij said the Cabinet had also agreed to channel Bt350 billion from the Bt400-billion borrowing for investment, while only Bt50 billion would be used to address budget deficits.
       Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday instructed the Finance Ministry to establish guidelines for combating corruption related to TKK investment.
       SUBHEAD
       Prior to the Cabinet meeting, all ministers were asked to prepare information on their investment plans, following news that the opposition could raise corruption cases concerning each ministry during today's parliamentary debate on a law empowering the Finance Ministry to raise funds for economic-stimulus purposes.
       As of October 1, fiscal reserves stood at Bt290 billion, sufficient to maintain government cash flow in fiscal 2010, he said.
       Earlier, the government planned to use Bt200 billion from the borrowing to address the deficits.
       The Cabinet next week will consider allocating Bt150 billion. Primarily, Bt41 billion will support the crop price-guarantee project, Bt6 billion will go to the Ban Mankong project, Bt19 billion to the Sufficiency Community Project and Bt30 billion to local administrative bodies.
       Aerothai's investment is intended to boost capacity and safety, reduce costs and pollution and cope with the expected doubling of air traffic in the next five to 10 years, said president Somchai Thean-anant.
       Aerothai will set up an air-traffic management centre to facilitate all flights, invest in new technology for better national linkage and buy a test aircraft.
       "The projects are in line with the government's economic policy of upgrading the infrastructure and quality of life, and Thailand's competitiveness in logistics and tourism. They complement the plan to turn Thailand into a regional aviation hub," Somchai said.