Thai cabinet
- Thailand News
Thailand’s game industry act set for Cabinet review in February
The draft of the Game Industry Act is scheduled for Cabinet review next month following the conclusion of public hearings. The legislation is anticipated to be implemented by the end of 2025. Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, President and Chief Executive of the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA), stated that the law aims to address the development of the computer game industry, valued…
- Thailand News
Rolling the dice: Thailand to legalise online gambling
In a landmark move, the Thai Cabinet approved amendments to ministerial regulations aimed at legalising online gambling, with changes expected to be completed within a month. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DES) Prasert Chantararuangthong revealed the decision today, following discussions at the Cabinet meeting yesterday, January 13. The amendments, spearheaded by the Ministry of Digital…
- 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
Thaksin denies Cabinet reshuffle, supports energy cost cuts
Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand’s former prime minister and the alleged de facto leader of the Pheu Thai Party, has put to rest rumours suggesting the potential dismissal of Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga in the next Cabinet reshuffle. Yesterday, January 5, Thaksin clarified that no such reshuffle is currently planned. Pirapan, for his part, denied any discord with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra…
- Thailand News
Thai pilots oppose foreign pilots on domestic routes amid tourism surge
The Thai Pilots Association has taken a definitive stance against the recent Cabinet decision allowing foreign pilots to operate domestic routes through wet lease agreements. Yesterday, December 6, they formally petitioned the Labour and Transport ministries to reconsider the move, which was introduced to address a perceived shortage of commercial pilots amid a surge in tourism activity. The Cabinet’s decision,…
- Thailand News
Thai Cabinet approves 5 billion baht flood aid for 16 provinces
The Thai Cabinet has sanctioned a budget of 5 billion baht to aid households in 16 more provinces beset by recent flooding, expanding the scope of assistance previously extended to other affected areas. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced that every flood-impacted household within these 16 provinces, including several in the southern region, will receive a uniform payout of 9,000 baht…
- Thailand News
Thai Cabinet extends 20-baht train fare with 400m baht budget
The Thai Cabinet has sanctioned a budget of 400 million baht to extend the 20-baht flat fare for the Red and Purple electric train lines for an additional year. This decision aims to provide continued financial relief to commuters using these lines. The extension pertains to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Red lines, which include the Nakhon Withi Line…
- Thailand News
Thai Cabinet approves civil service salary increase proposal
The Thai Cabinet has acknowledged a proposal to adjust the starting salaries for new civil service recruits, with a bachelor’s degree holder earning no less than 18,000 baht and a vocational certificate holder receiving a minimum of 11,000 baht. This adjustment is expected to utilise a budget of 2.67 billion baht. A meeting took place at Chiang Mai Rajabhat University,…
- Thailand News
Thailand approves 55 billion baht low-interest home loans
The Thai Cabinet has approved the Government Housing Bank (GHB) to roll out a low-interest loan package worth 55 billion baht. This initiative aims to enhance housing accessibility for Thai citizens and includes two major schemes: a fixed-rate mortgage for the first five years at 3% per annum for purchasing or constructing homes, and a low-interest loan for home renovations…
- Thailand News
Thai Cabinet approves 15 billion baht loan for small businesses
The Thai Cabinet approved a substantial loan initiative aimed at boosting employment and entrepreneurship with a budget of 15 billion baht, targeting street vendors and small businesses to alleviate high-interest debt. The scheme is expected to benefit around 300,000 individuals across the country. Finance Deputy Minister Paophum Rojanasakul announced that the Cabinet agreed to allow the Government Savings Bank (GSB)…
- Thailand News
Thai Cabinet approves 3 new holidays for 2025 and 2026
The Thai Cabinet has approved an addition of three special public holidays for the years 2025 and 2026, resulting in a total of 21 official holidays next year. These additional days aim to extend existing holiday periods into longer breaks. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Phumtham Wechayachai, announced the decision following the Cabinet meeting at Government House earlier…
- Thailand News
Ex-Finance Minister Kittirat to head Bank of Thailand amid backlash
Former Finance Minister Kittirat Na-Ranong has been selected as chairperson of the Bank of Thailand (BOT), sparking fierce debate over his potential influence on the nation’s economic policies. In a closed-door meeting that lasted five hours yesterday, November 11, the selection committee decided to appoint Kittirat to replace Poramethi Vimolsiri, whose term ended in September. The committee also appointed two…
- Business News
Thailand casino draft law ready to hit the jackpot in Cabinet review
The draft law on entertainment complexes and casinos in Thailand is anticipated to reach the Cabinet for consideration later this year, as announced by Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. Upon receiving Cabinet approval, the administration plans to forward the draft law to Parliament for further deliberation. The House of Representatives is scheduled to reconvene for a regular session from mid-December…
- Thailand News
Roll the dice: Casino bill feedback to be reviewed by Thai Cabinet
A public hearing on the proposed casino-entertainment complex bill wrapped up with feedback set to be submitted to the Cabinet, announced the Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) at the Ministry of Finance. The FPO, alongside the Digital Government Development Agency, collected public opinions on the bill via their websites over two weeks. The bill aims to establish entertainment complexes with legally…
- Thailand News
New PM office spokesperson announced at Government House
In a whirlwind Cabinet reshuffle, the Government of Thailand is shaking up key roles, including naming a new spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office and promoting the deputy secretary-general of the National Security Council (NSC) to council chief. It’s all part of the latest wave of power moves under PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Announcing the changes at a press briefing today,…
- Thailand News
Thai Cabinet levels flood compensation at 9,000 baht
The Thai Cabinet has revised flood victim compensation to a uniform rate of 9,000 baht per household, replacing the previous variable range of 5,000 to 9,000 baht. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced the decision following a Cabinet meeting, citing the severity of the flood situation as the reason for the new compensation structure. “The government decided that all affected households…
- Thailand News
Covid chaos hits Thai Cabinet: 2 deputy ministers sidelined by virus
Incoming Deputy Interior Ministers Songsak Thongsri and Sabeeda Thaised have been forced into isolation after testing positive for Covid-19 during routine RT-PCR tests at Government House. Both ministers, from the Bhumjaithai Party, will have to delay their official duties as they recover, a government insider revealed. Songsak, who has held his post since 2019, and first-timer Sabeeda, daughter of outgoing…
- Thailand News
Thailand set to advance casino project with 80% public approval
Newly-appointed Deputy Finance Minister Julaphan Amornvivat recently discussed the progress of the Entertainment Complex (Casino) project following the completion of public hearings, where over 80% of respondents expressed approval. This project, which has its origins in Parliament, is now set to move towards discussions among coalition parties before being submitted to the Cabinet and Parliament for further consideration. Julaphan highlighted…
- Thailand News
Deputy Interior Minister Chada pulls out of Cabinet
Caretaker Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaised has withdrawn his name from consideration for a role in Thailand’s next Cabinet, instead proposing his daughter, Sabeeda Thaised, for the position of Deputy Interior Minister. The move comes amidst swirling controversy surrounding Chada’s murky past and fears that his appointment could imperil the government’s stability. The decision followed a damning report from the…
- Thailand News
Thai PM Paetongtarn to submit new Cabinet list next week
The Prime Minister of Thailand, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, plans to submit the names of her new Cabinet members for royal endorsement by next week. Unfortunately, future Deputy Minister Chada Thaiseth withdrew his name from the list this morning. Prime Minister Paetongtarn arrived at Shinawatra Tower 3, her temporary office, at 9.40am today, September 3, and revealed to the media that the…
- Thailand News
PM Paetongtarn denies Thaksin’s influence on Cabinet
Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra firmly asserted that she alone will decide on the composition of her Cabinet. This declaration follows concerns that her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, might interfere in her selections. Paetongtarn was officially named Thailand’s 31st Prime Minister on August 18 after securing a majority vote in Parliament. Since then, her coalition partners have been…
- Thailand News
Pheu Thai to announce new Cabinet in three weeks
The ruling Pheu Thai Party has announced that the new Cabinet will be introduced within three weeks. Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed this yesterday, following parliament’s vote for the new premier. Newly installed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will have the legal right and duty to make political decisions and hold discussions. Phumtham emphasised that the allocation of ministerial positions will…
- Thailand News
Agriculture Ministry seeks Cabinet approval for state land use
The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives plans to request Cabinet approval to utilise lands from state agencies for royally initiated projects. Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thamanat Prompow announced the proposed resolution during a meeting at the Office of Agricultural Economics focused on assessing these projects. Royally initiated projects have been prioritised by the ministry as they aim to eradicate poverty…
- Politics News
New interior permanent secretary appointed, effective October 1
The Cabinet appointed Ansit Samphantharat as the new permanent secretary of the Ministry of Interior, effective from October 1. He will succeed Suttipong Juljarern, who will retire at the end of this month. Ansit currently serves as the director of the Department of Provincial Administration within the ministry. His appointment came alongside the approval of Supachai Pathumnakul as the Permanent…
- Thailand News
Early retirement scheme slashes Thai Defence senior ranks
The Cabinet approved an early retirement scheme for senior Defence Ministry officials, effective this October. According to insider sources, the initiative is set to revolutionise the armed forces by offering retirement packages to over 700 top brass. The ambitious three-year campaign aims to retire 732 high-ranking officials, approximately 244 each year, slashing the defence budget by an impressive 4.47 billion…
- Thailand News
NACC calls for probe into BMA’s electric truck project
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) urged the Secretariat of the Cabinet to scrutinise the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA) 3.99-billion-baht project aimed at leasing electric garbage trucks, amid concerns of potential corruption. NACC chairman Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit submitted a formal letter to the secretariat yesterday, July 3, providing detailed recommendations on how to prevent corruption in these large-scale projects. The commission had…
- Thailand News
Thai Cabinet to scrap duty-free stores on arrival after 3 billion baht loss
The Thai Cabinet plans to scrap duty-free stores on arrival at eight airports in Thailand after losing an estimated 3 billion baht in customs revenue. This cancellation is also aimed at making Thailand a hub of tourism and shopping. The Prime Minister’s Office deputy spokesperson, Ratchada Thanadirek, reported in a press conference after today’s Cabinet meeting. The Cabinet agreed to…
- Thailand News
SEC bill to launch 1-trillion-baht Land Bridge project by 2026
The draft of the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) bill is on track to be submitted to the Cabinet by the end of September, aiming to kickstart the 1-trillion-baht Land Bridge megaproject in 2026, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced yesterday. The blueprint for the project is currently being adjusted to align with the expectations of foreign investors and locals. These adjustments…
- Thailand News
PM dismisses concerns over foreign condo ownership plan
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin dismissed allegations that a government proposal to increase the foreign ownership quota in condominiums and extend land leases is akin to “selling off the nation.” “It is about long-term leases, not selling land. It has nothing to do with selling the nation.” Last week, the Cabinet ordered a study into raising the proportion of foreign ownership…
- Thailand News
Thailand imports shrimp from Ecuador amid local production crisis
Thailand, once the world’s leading shrimp exporter, now finds itself importing shrimp from Ecuador. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin directed the Department of Fisheries to investigate and report back in the next Cabinet meeting. The nation, which used to produce and export 600,000 tonnes of shrimp annually, now produces only 200,000 tonnes. This significant decline has necessitated the importation of shrimp,…
