Thai cabinet
- Bangkok News
Thai casino plans put on ice as Cabinet refuses to roll the dice
The bill proposing a casino-entertainment complex was not taken up for deliberation by the Cabinet as anticipated, according to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. A public hearing is awaited before further action can be taken. The 38 year old Thai PM emphasised the importance of not rushing the bill into law. She highlighted the need for public opinion and dissenting views…
- Thailand News
Power move: Thai Cabinet extends electricity subsidy to ease shock
The Thai Cabinet has approved an extension of the electricity subsidy programme to help alleviate financial burdens amid rising energy costs. The measure, originally expired in December 2024, will now continue until April 2025, aiming to support households and promote economic stability. Deputy Government spokesperson Karom Phonphlang announced on March 11 that the subsidy will provide a 16.05 satang per unit…
- Thailand News
Casino bill to require 50m baht bank balance for Thai entry
The Entertainment Complex Bill, set for revision, is anticipated to be submitted for Cabinet approval next week, according to PM’s Office Minister Chousak Sirinil. The bill has been prioritised as an urgent policy, following discussions with the Interior Ministry and the Finance Ministry, with aims to expedite its legislative process. The bill includes a condition requiring Thai citizens to maintain…
- Thailand News
Thai casino entry rule demands 50 million baht deposit for citizens
Thai nationals wishing to enter the proposed casino-entertainment complex must have held at least 50 million baht in a fixed deposit account for a minimum of six months, according to a government source. This stipulation is part of Section 65 of the Entertainment Complex Bill, which has been examined by the Council of State and will be reviewed by the…
- Thailand News
PM Paetongtarn visits Phatthalung ahead of Cabinet meeting
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra visited Phatthalung yesterday, engaging with locals and pledging economic growth ahead of the year’s first mobile Cabinet meeting in Songkhla. During the first stop of her two-day tour, Paetongtarn visited Thale Noi, a vast wetland in Khuan Khanun district, where she was welcomed by Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Chantararuangthong, and…
- 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
PM Paetongtarn to outline key policies in public address tomorrow
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is set to deliver a significant public address tomorrow, December 10, where she will highlight her Cabinet’s accomplishments over the past three months and underscore the importance of the government’s key policies for the upcoming year. The address, titled 2025 Empowering Thais: A Real Possibility, will commence at 10am and will be broadcast live on NBT2HD,…
- 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 Airways gets a financial lift-off with ministry’s capital boost
The Ministry of Finance is set to propose a capital injection for Thai Airways International to the Cabinet next week. This move is designed to ensure the airline’s recovery while keeping the ministry’s shareholding below 50%, preventing a reversion to state enterprise status, as confirmed by Tibordee Wattanakul, Director-General of the State Enterprise Policy Office. This financial boost is part…
- 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
Thailand’s 300-baht travel tax takes off with air passengers first
Collection of the 300-baht travel tax could initially target air passengers, with the system needing at least six months to become operational, as stated by the Tourism and Sports Ministry. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong announced that the ministry is currently revising the details of the programme and plans to submit it for Cabinet approval in January. Despite the…
- 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
Thailand Cabinet keeps VAT at 7% for another year
The Thailand Cabinet has decided to maintain the current value-added tax (VAT) rate at 7% for another year. This decision was announced by Jirayu Huangsub, an advisor to the Prime Minister of Thailand, at 12.40pm yesterday, September 17. The announcement follows a Cabinet meeting where the economic situation was discussed, especially concerning the VAT rate set to expire at the…
- 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
Paetongtarn Shinawatra confirms new Cabinet
Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra confidently returned to the kitchen today, ensuring the flame from the gas cylinder was on while announcing that her new Cabinet’s composition has been finalised. The prime minister seized the opportunity during a visit to flood-stricken Sukhothai to cook pad kaprao with premium beef, alongside renowned chef Chumpol Jaengprai in Mueang district. This time, she left…
- 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…
- Thailand News
Thailand Cabinet caps electricity at 4.18 baht, diesel at 33 baht
The Thai Cabinet approved measures to cap electricity prices at 4.18 baht per unit until the end of the year and diesel prices at 33 baht per litre until October 31. A new energy structure law is set to be introduced today, July 23. Following a Cabinet meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga announced that the government…
- 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…
