Thailand's new prime minister tells Parliament his government will urgently tackle economic woes

Srettha Thavisin, Thailand's prime minister, arrives at the Thai Parliament in Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. Thailand will dole out 560 billion baht ($16 billion) to its 55 million adults in the next six months to spur domestic demand and investment, with new Prime Minister Thavisin pitching the revival of a sluggish economy as his government’s top priority. - Valeria Mongelli/Bloomberg

BANGKOK (AP): Thailand’s new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin vowed to act quickly to relieve the country's economic problems in his inaugural speech to Parliament on Monday, following four months of political uncertainty while parliamentarians were unable to agree on a government.

Srettha entered politics after a career as a major real estate develope r, and his government is facing high expectations and pressing demands to address a range of economic, political, social and environmental problems in its four-year term.