budget
- 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…
- Thailand News
PM ‘fund-amentally’ speeds up investment for 2025 economy
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra directed government entities to hasten the allocation of the investment budget for fiscal year 2025 to invigorate the nation’s economy. During a meeting with senior officials at the Finance Ministry yesterday, November 4, Paetongtarn highlighted that Thailand is grappling with longstanding issues compounded by new challenges. The 38 year old prime minister emphasised the necessity for…
- 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…
- 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…
- Pattaya News
Na Jomtien officials deliver relief bags to 126 households in need
Na Jomtien officials delivered essential relief bags to 126 households in need yesterday, September 26. Rapeephan Rattanaliem, Mayor of Na Jomtien Subdistrict Municipality, accompanied by the deputy mayor, the mayor’s secretary, the mayor’s advisors, department heads, and municipal officials, conducted a field visit at 9am to distribute the relief packages. The relief bags contained drinking water, rice, cooking oil, fish…
- 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…
- 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
Bangkok joins 30-baht healthcare scheme with 6 billion baht budget
A budget allocation of 5.9 billion baht has been approved to support the 30-baht healthcare scheme, which will now extend to Bangkok, making it the 46th province in the programme. The project will be officially launched on September 27. The announcement was made at the National Health Security Office (NHSO) in Bangkok, where Jadej Thamatachaaree, Secretary-General of the NHSO, explained…
- 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…
- 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
House passes 3.7 trillion baht budget plan after tepid debate
After a three-day debate that barely sparked a fire, the House of Representatives finally pushed through the colossal 3.7 trillion baht budget bill for the 2025 fiscal year. In a vote held late last night, the bill was approved by a margin of 309 to 155, with four MPs opting to abstain, leaving no one without a voice. Deputy Prime…
- 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
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…
- Technology News
Thailand boosts cloud budget to 1 billion baht amid political shifts
Thailand’s cloud-first policy will remain intact, despite the recent political changes, according to the caretaker Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry. The appointment of new Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has led to only minor adjustments in government policies. A significant increase in the fiscal 2025 budget for state agencies’ procurement of cloud services has been announced, rising to 1 billion baht…
- 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…
- 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
Thai Education Ministry advances tablet initiative despite budget cut
Thailand’s Education Ministry continues to advance its tablet distribution initiative, despite a budget reduction from 16 billion to 13 billion baht. Siripong Angkasakulkiat, an assistant to the Education Minister, confirmed the ministry’s commitment to the project yesterday. Education Minister Police General Permpoon Chidchob is spearheading the One District, One Quality School project. This initiative aims to consolidate educational resources, both…
- 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
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,…
- Phuket News
Phuket’s inadequate infrastructure development raises concerns
Inadequate infrastructure development in Phuket is struggling to match the island’s rapid urbanisation and severe flooding, tarnishing its reputation. The government’s failure to allocate sufficient budget and upgrade public facilities as promised is a significant concern. The President of the Phuket Tourist Association, Thaneth Tantipiriyakij, highlighted that 60% of tourists are first-time visitors who might not return if infrastructure issues…
- 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…
- Thailand News
Budget battle: Defence minister stands his ground on expenditures
During the ongoing budget debate in Parliament, Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang fiercely defended his military spending plans against a barrage of criticism from the opposition. The Move Forward Party (MFP)’s Wiroj Lakkanaadisorn launched a scathing attack on the defence budget last Friday, June 21, accusing it of prioritising troop salaries and benefits over the advanced weaponry necessary for modern warfare.…
- Thailand News
Thailand approves 3.75-trillion-baht budget for 2025 fiscal year
Thailand’s House of Representatives approved the 3.75-trillion-baht budget bill for the 2025 fiscal year late yesterday with 311 votes in favour, 175 against, and two abstentions. A special 72-member House committee has been established to scrutinise the bill, consisting of 18 Cabinet representatives and 54 members from both government and opposition parties. This committee will convene its initial meeting tomorrow…