“Our economic strategy is to support collaboration between the private sector and the public sector to boost the quality of life of lower-income people in the country under the ‘Pracha Rath’ programme,” he said.

The PM added that the capital market had 640 listed firms with combined revenue of up to Bt12 trillion, equivalent to 91 per cent of gross domestic product, and paid corporate income tax worth more than Bt200 billion – 37 per cent of total tax income – a year, according to what SET chairman Chaiwat Wibulsawasdi had reported.

“We hope listed firms will help the government to support the country’s SMEs and start-up businesses, and also support low-income people to have a better quality of life for the long term,” he said.

To support corporates in the conduct of their business and ensuring they have the ability to support SMEs, start-ups and low-income members of the public, the government will revise those rules that are obstacles to doing business, he pledged.

“We want to create an environment that supports the private sector to expand their investment within the country, both corporates and small and medium-sized firms alike, because they are the key to driving economic growth for the long term,”Prayut said.

Meanwhile, Somchai Satjapong, permanent secretary of the Finance Ministry, said the capital market now had a five-year plan to make it one of the leading markets in the region, challenging both domestic and foreign investors to expand their investment.