By Catherine Bosley
LONDON, March 14 (Reuters) - Thailand's prime minister said on Saturday the world's largest countries must maintain spending commitments and coordinate their fiscal and monetary policies to combat a worsening economic downturn.
"We hope to see clear-cut coordination of fiscal and monetary policies for all the major economies, preferably clear targets," said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, on a visit to Britain, which is hosting a meeting of the finance ministers of the G20 group of big developed and emerging economies.
"Frankly speaking, we've not been encouraged by the finance ministers' meeting so far, where there's been reluctance on some parts to commit fully to fiscal spending and also accommodating monetary policy."
Officials at the G20 finance ministers' meeting south of the British capital have tried to play down reports that there is a rift between the United States, which favours more global fiscal stimulus, and European countries favouring tougher financial regulation.
In their closing statement, the G20 countries pledged to take all necessary action to restore growth in the face of the worst crisis in the global economy since the 1930s. Abhisit, speaking at the London School of Economics, also said he wanted countries to step up efforts to reach a new free trade agreement under the auspices of the World Trade Organisation.
"It would be nice to see the Doha round somehow resuming and also working towards some clear date of completion," he said.
Thailand is not part of the G20 group of leading and emerging economies. However, Abhisit is scheduled to return to Britain at the time of the G20 leaders' summit on April 2 to represent the southeast Asian grouping ASEAN.
He added that he hoped to achieve price stability in Thailand this year. Analysts expect inflation in Thailand to be below zero for at least the first half of the year. (Editing by Alison Williams)