budget
- Thailand News
Thailand offers 50% travel subsidy: 1 million vouchers available
Thailand’s Tourism Minister, Sorawong Thienthong, has announced a bold plan to boost domestic tourism with a 3.5 billion baht budget request to fund the new We Travel Together programme. The scheme will offer Thai tourists 50% subsidies on hotel rooms and meals from May to September, with one million vouchers up for grabs. The proposed programme aims to revitalise the…
- Business News
Cabinet approves 3.78 trillion baht budget for 2026 fiscal year
The Thai Cabinet has sanctioned a 3.78 trillion baht (US$109 billion) budget for the 2026 fiscal year, alongside soft loans to assist small enterprises, as announced by officials yesterday, January 7. The budget, which includes an 860 billion baht (US$24. billion) deficit, is designed to invigorate the economy, according to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. In the previous month, the…
- Thailand News
Interior ministry allocates 56 million baht for Surat Thani marshland
Thailand’s Ministry of Interior approved a budget of over 56 million baht for the fiscal year 2025 to develop the Khlong Khwai marshland, aiming to create a new green space for the people of Surat Thani province. Kanisini Opasrangsank, a Member of Parliament for Constituency 1 in Surat Thani and Deputy Secretary-General of the United Thai Nation Party, along with…
- Thailand News
Police in Thailand to receive increased allowances this year
Police officers across Thailand are set to receive increased allowances this year, following a directive signed by Kittirat Phanpetch, the National Police Chief. The directive, dated Tuesday, November 12, emphasises the need for efficient budget management and cautions against any misallocation of funds. Kittirat issued the directive to various police divisions, including the Metropolitan Police Bureau and Provincial Police Regions…
- Economy News
Penny-wise, pound foolish: Thailand’s budget delay leaves fiscal year in arrears
The Government of Thailand’s delayed budget approval led to significant underinvestment in the previous fiscal year, according to the Comptroller General’s Department (CGD). The state budget for the fiscal year is divided into a fixed fund and an investment fund. For fiscal 2024, which ended on September 30, the fixed fund amounted to 2.8 trillion baht (US$84 billion), covering expenses…
- Food
The jewel of budget street food: 20 baht noodles in Kanchanaburi
We are sure that you are well aware of the street food scene in Thailand, where dishes from all walks of life can be found on every corner. No matter if you’re in Bangkok or any other city in the Kingdom of Thailand, street food vendors are always around to offer delicious and affordable meals. There is no separating flavoursome…
- Thailand News
Pattaya’s wastewater treatment project delayed again
Pattaya City Hospital is asking for a major budget extension to tackle its long-delayed wastewater treatment project. The hospital, under the Health and Environment Bureau, has requested an additional period for the disbursement of 23.8 million baht—part of a total 25.3 million baht budget—to continue its vital environmental initiative. Deputy Mayor Wuthisak Rermkijakarn presented the proposal at a Pattaya City…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s 20-billion-baht airport expressway takes off in 2030
The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) is gearing up to launch public-private partnerships (PPPs) next year for the ambitious 20-billion-baht Srinakarin-Suvarnabhumi Airport expressway project. With an anticipated opening in 2030, this project is poised to streamline access to the bustling Suvarnabhumi Airport, enhancing the travel experience for both locals and tourists alike. EXAT Deputy Governor Katpachon Udomthampakdee, recently led the…
- Transport News
Charged up: Thailand greenlights 7.12 billion baht EV subsidy
The Thai Cabinet has sanctioned the allocation of 7.12 billion baht (US$218 million) from the central reserve budget to support the electric vehicle (EV) subsidy program. This decision was announced following the weekly Cabinet meeting yesterday, September 24. Jirayu Huangsab, an advisor to the prime minister, confirmed that the allocated budget will subsidise buyers of EVs and motorcycles who have already…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s universal healthcare won’t ‘break the bank’ says minister
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health remains confident that the universal healthcare programme will not face financial difficulties, according to Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin. The government has allocated a central budget of 5.9 billion baht for the scheme for the fiscal year ending September 30. Somsak provided this update following a National Health Security Board meeting, where participants discussed plans for…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya mayor launches 2 billion baht flood fix
Pattaya is gearing up for a flood-free future as the city’s mayor, Poramet Ngampichet, fast-tracks a massive flood prevention project. In a high-stakes move, the ambitious scheme aims to divert dangerous floodwaters into local canals— and all within a mere 150 days. Mayor Poramet has declared flooding his top priority, vowing to protect the city from further water woes. He…
- Business News
Thailand to borrow 2.59 trillion baht for 2025 budget
The Government of Thailand announced a borrowing plan of 2.59 trillion baht for the 2025 fiscal year, assuring that this will not hinder the private sector’s fundraising efforts, a Ministry of Finance official stated yesterday. Jindarat Viriyataveekul, public debt adviser at the ministry, said the debt plan, which begins on October 1, should not cause concern in the markets. She…
- Thailand News
Thailand allocates 3.04 billion baht for flood relief
Thailand’s Cabinet has approved a request from the Ministry of Interior to allocate 3.04 billion baht (US$91 million) from the central budget to assist flood victims across the country. This decision, taken at the new Cabinet’s first weekly meeting, will provide financial relief to approximately 338,391 households affected by flooding since May, according to ministry spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul. The financial…
- Thailand News
Digital wallet scheme falls short of 45 million target, saves 100 billion baht
Online registrations for the government’s digital wallet handout scheme have recently closed, with only 36 million people signing up, falling short of the 45 million target. The Finance Ministry reported that this shortfall has resulted in a saving of 100 billion baht (US$3 billion) from the project’s budget. When asked whether the lower registration numbers indicated a lack of public…
- Automotive
Cost of owning an EV car in Thailand
Are you thinking about making the switch to an electric vehicle (EV) in Thailand? You’re not alone. With rising fuel prices and increasing environmental concerns, many are considering EVs as a smart and sustainable choice. But what does it really cost to own one? Owning an EV in Thailand involves more than just the initial purchase price. You’ll need to…
- Thailand News
Thailand to speed up 145 billion baht digital wallet handout
Thailand will advance the distribution of 145 billion baht from its digital wallet handout programme to support vulnerable groups, announced by the deputy finance minister yesterday. The decision aims to provide immediate economic stimulus in the short term. During a budget debate in the senate, Julapun Amornvivat revealed that the government has allocated 450 billion baht for this flagship handout…
- Thailand News
RTA denies overpricing claims on mess trays purchase
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) firmly denied accusations from the People’s Party (PP) regarding the alleged overpricing of mess trays. These claims were presented during the scrutiny phase of the national budget expenditure bill earlier this week. The opposition party accused the army of allocating an excessive portion of its budget to purchase approximately 10,000 mess trays at prices significantly…
- Thailand News
Thai House of Representatives to make 7.8 billion baht budget cut
The House of Representatives is set to proceed with the second and third readings of the budget bill for the 2025 fiscal year next week. This development comes amidst reports that the proposed spending plan has been reduced by nearly 8 billion baht. House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha announced that the budget debate will take place from September 3…
- Thailand News
DJOP evaluates Thicha Nanakorn’s contract amid budget cuts
The Department of Juvenile Observation and Protection (DJOP) is evaluating whether to renew the contract of a seasoned expert in juvenile justice, Thicha Nanakorn amid budget cuts for hiring specialists. A document released today by the DJOP outlines a policy to reduce staff numbers, particularly specialists and experts, during the 2025-2028 fiscal years. This policy has led to Thicha’s resignation,…
- Thailand News
Pattaya’s iconic sign gets a dazzling makeover
In a move set to reinvigorate Pattaya’s skyline, the City Council has greenlit a massive budget to restore the iconic PATTAYA CITY sign perched atop Pattaya Hill. This iconic landmark, which has greeted visitors for years, will soon shine brighter than ever thanks to a major overhaul. Deputy Mayor Manot Nongyai championed a proposal on Tuesday, August 27, to allocate…
- Thailand News
House approves 122 billion baht digital wallet scheme budget
The House of Representatives approved a supplementary bill to increase the budget for the current fiscal year by 122 billion baht, in a vote held late yesterday. This additional funding aims to partially finance the government’s digital wallet handout scheme. A total of 297 MPs voted in favour of the bill, while 164 opposed it, with no abstentions recorded. Among…
- Business News
Thailand to boost 2024 budget by 122 billion baht for economic lift
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin emphasised the necessity of increasing the 2024 fiscal budget by 122 billion baht to stimulate Thailand’s economy. He proposed a supplementary budget bill to the House, aiming to finance the digital wallet scheme, a core policy of the Pheu Thai Party. Opposition parties opposed the bill, citing legal concerns and potential violations of the State Fiscal…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s digital wallet disaster: MFP oppose budget
Opposition parties have taken a firm stand against the supplementary budget bill, targeting the controversial digital wallet scheme. Estimated at a staggering 450 billion baht, the scheme is criticised for its alleged inefficacy in boosting the GDP and potential legal issues, which could set a detrimental precedent for future national budgeting and fiscal policies. Sirikanya Tansakul, Deputy Leader of the…
- Thailand News
PM Srettha’s 122 billion baht budget boost to stimulate economy
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin launched the first reading of an additional budget for fiscal 2024, earmarking a whopping 122 billion baht for economic stimulus through the digital wallet scheme. Addressing the House, the Thai Premier outlined the government’s plan to disburse a 10,000-baht digital handout, aimed at enhancing the quality of life and generating job opportunities. “We cannot afford to…
- Thailand News
Thailand slashes digital wallet budget amid corruption fears
The Thai government has decided to slash the budget for its digital wallet scheme from 500 billion baht to 450 billion, scrapping plans to borrow 170 billion baht from the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC). Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat announced the decision yesterday, July 10, citing corruption concerns raised by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). Julapun revealed…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s oldest oilfield to get 300 million baht redevelopment
Thailand’s oldest oilfield is set for redevelopment with a budget of 300 million baht, as announced by the Defence Energy Department’s Northern Petroleum Development Centre (NPDC). The redevelopment plan of Fang Oilfield in Chiang Mai includes upgrading the oil refinery to Euro5 standards, enabling it to produce lower-sulphur diesel that is safe for car engines, according to Montri Jeennakorn, director…
- Thailand News
Revised debt management plan pushes borrowing to 1.03t baht
The Thai Cabinet approved a revised public debt management plan for the 2024 fiscal year, incorporating an additional 275.87 billion baht in borrowing. Of this, 269 billion baht is designated for direct government use and lending to state enterprises for debt restructuring. According to Deputy government spokesperson Rudklao Suwankiri, this revision increases the total new borrowing for the current fiscal…
- Thailand News
Thailand boosts financial aid for dependent individuals
The Government of Thailand is set to increase annual financial aid for dependent individuals from 6,000 baht to 10,442 baht per person while expanding the target group to cover up to 600,000 people. Deputy government spokesperson Karom Ponpolklang announced today, July 3, that each year, approximately 320,000 dependent individuals receive care from the state. However, additional groups in the community,…
- Business News
Credit agencies highlight Thailand’s EEC as key to industrial growth
Credit rating agencies underscore the significance of Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) project in advancing the nation’s industrial sector and boosting competitiveness, according to the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO). The public debt advisor for PDMO, Jindarat Viriyataveekul, indicated that credit rating agencies have been closely observing the EEC project’s progress for years due to its pivotal role in shaping…
- Phuket News
Phuket board urges better waste separation management
Phuket grapples with the challenge of managing its daily solid waste, with waste separation emerging as a critical focus. Members of the Phuket Provincial Governance Board yesterday conducted an inspection of the Phuket Provincial Waste Disposal Centre and Incinerator at Saphan Hin. Peeraphit Aongcharoen, Vice Chairman of the Board, led the delegation to monitor and assess the progress of budget…
