Thai Government
- Thailand News
Thai government’s digital wallet scheme under scrutiny
The Thai government’s digital wallet policy, specifically the planned usage of funds from the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) to support the initiative, will continue to be scrutinised by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The agency has previously raised concerns about potential corruption and legal risks linked to the 10,000 baht distribution scheme and will observe the government’s…
- Technology News
Thailand’s govt backs AI industry and boosts digital infrastructure
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced that the government is ready to support the AI industry and enhance the country’s digital infrastructure. The statement was made at the Microsoft Build: AI Day Event at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, where he welcomed around 2,000 developers and business and technology leaders. “AI has changed many aspects of our lives, workplaces, and business…
- Business News
Thai government preps digital wallet scheme for 50 million citizens
The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) is getting ready to support the government’s digital wallet scheme, aimed at benefiting 50 million Thai citizens. Under the direction of Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong, the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) will monitor the security of the 500-billion-baht (US$13.4 million) digital initiative. Simultaneously, the Digital Government Agency (DGA) will take charge of digital…
- Thailand News
Salary surge: Thai civil servants set for pay raise starting May 1
The Thai government announced a significant salary increase for civil servants, effective from tomorrow, May 1, this year. This adjustment aims to ensure that those with a bachelor’s degree will earn no less than 18,000 baht per month, and those with a vocational certificate will receive no less than 11,000 baht per month within two years. This recent decision, made…
- Thailand News
Bank of Thailand warns government against digital wallet plan
Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, dismissed concerns about a confidential Bank of Thailand (BoT) document warning the government against the proposed digital wallet handout initiative. Phumtham, a prominent figure in the Cabinet, stated he was unaware of the document’s contents and questioned its credibility, insisting that if it were a real warning, it would have been officially…
- Business News
Thai government changes funding approach for digital wallet project
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s coalition government has made a crucial change to its flagship scheme, a digital wallet project aiming to distribute 10,000 baht (US$270) to 50 million Thais. The government has switched from borrowing funds, which faced severe criticism and raised concerns about possible violations of financial and fiscal discipline regulations, to using money from the annual expenditure budget.…
- Thailand News
Thai government considers borrowing to fund digital wallet scheme
The Thai government will consult with the Council of State to clarify whether it can borrow 172.3 billion baht from the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) to partially fund its digital wallet scheme. This decision was made at a coalition party meeting held yesterday where the implementation of the Pheu Thai Party’s proposed 500-billion-baht (US$13.6 billion) scheme was…
- Thailand News
Government launches utility cost subsidy for welfare cardholders
A new government initiative has been launched to alleviate the burden of utility costs for households in Thailand. The programme, aimed at state welfare cardholders, offers a single electricity and water subsidy per household, linked to one household registration code. Eligible participants must confirm their identity and register for the subsidy, which applies to either electricity or water services, not…
- Thailand News
Thai government launches 300,000 baht loans for self-employed
In a significant move to support the workforce, the Thai government has unveiled a loan programme aimed at self-employed individuals, providing funds up to 300,000 baht for those in need of financial assistance. This initiative, which offers zero-interest loans for a two-year period, is available until April 30, as announced by Deputy Government spokesperson Karam Phonprakong. The policy, orchestrated under…
- Thailand News
Government’s debt hike prompts caution from agencies
Ratings agencies issued cautionary statements following the surprise decision this week by the government to increase its debt in a bid to stimulate the economy. The move, which may compromise the government’s fiscal consolidation efforts, is likely to stimulate short-term growth. The medium-term budget plan was revised by the Cabinet on Tuesday, causing a rise in the deficit next fiscal…
- Thailand News
Thai Stop Gambling Campaign criticises government’s plans
The general secretary of the Stop Gambling Campaign Foundation responded to a recent statement by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Tuesday regarding the potential establishment of an entertainment complex to address the issue of illicit gambling activities. The Thai PM had outlined plans for the Provincial Administration and National Security Departments to oversee the situation, acknowledging the existence of covert…
- Thailand News
Thailand tourism revolution: Five key strategies
In a monumental event dubbed Ignite Tourism Thailand, the government revealed a groundbreaking roadmap aimed at catapulting Thailand to the zenith of global tourism. With Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin and Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsupakitkosol at the helm, the unveiling at Government House marked a pivotal moment in Thailand’s ambition to become a multifaceted tourism hub…
- Thailand News
700+ illegal foreign workers exposed in Thailand’s reserved jobs
The Thai government has exposed a clandestine workforce of over 700 foreign workers engaged in professions reserved for locals over the past six months, officials declared today. Government spokesperson Kharom Polpornklang disclosed that a vigorous crackdown by the Employment Department had ensnared 721 foreigners, predominantly employed as street vendors, hairdressers, drivers, and masseurs, prompted by grievances from indigenous workers. The…
- Business News
Thai govt’s cash splash: 500 billion baht digital wallet green light
With a budget proposal of 3.48 trillion baht (US$96.5 billion) for the fiscal year under discussion, the Government of Thailand is determined to proceed with a significant 500-billion-baht (US$13.8 billion) digital wallet handout scheme, according to Deputy Finance Minister, Julapun Amornvivat. During the parliamentary debate, Julapun stated the possible necessity of securing a loan via a bill to finance the…
- Thailand News
Deputy spokesperson exposes deadly truth about colon cancer
Deputy Government Spokesperson Radklao Inthawong Suwankiri warned against the silent killer, colon cancer. Radklao brought the grim reality of colon cancer to the forefront, shedding light on its menacing rise globally. She highlighted how changing lifestyles have propelled its prevalence, transforming it into a leading cause of death and a pressing public health crisis each passing year. In Thailand alone,…
- Thailand News
March 16 Thai lottery draw stirs excitement with number patterns
The Government Lottery Office (GLO) is set to draw the next batch of Thai lottery prizes on Saturday, March 16, a highly anticipated event that has sparked a flurry of interest among lottery enthusiasts. The March 16 lottery draw, which takes place at the GLO in Nonthaburi, follows a longstanding tradition that has seen a decade’s worth of numbers bringing…
- Thailand News
Thai women march to Government House for labour rights
Bangkok streets echoed with the chants of empowered Thai women as they marched to Government House, armed with 11 demands to challenge labour oppression on this International Women’s Day. Thai women’s labour groups, spearheaded by the Thai Labour Solidarity Committee (TLSC), took to the streets with a resolute message under the banner of Resistance against Women’s Labour Oppression Capitalism. Their…
- Thailand News
Thai government urged to prepare for Myanmar refugee influx
In anticipation of a potential surge in refugees from Myanmar, a security expert called on the Thai government to take immediate action by establishing a safety zone or humanitarian corridor near the Thai-Myanmar border. Associate Professor Panitan Wattanayagorn, speaking to Thai PBS, warned of intensified fighting between government troops and rebel forces during the upcoming dry season, fuelled by Myanmar’s…
- Thailand News
Thai government issuing smart ID cards to Buddhist monks
The Thai government has begun issuing smart ID cards to over 100,000 Buddhist monks across the nation, revealed Puangpet Chunlaiad, a minister in the Prime Minister’s Office. These ID cards contain crucial details about each monk’s history and are linked to the country’s citizenship database managed by the Interior Ministry. This initiative is part of the government’s efforts to enhance…
- Business News
Thai govt considers issuing US$1 billion foreign currency bonds
The Thai government recently announced its consideration to issue foreign currency-denominated bonds valued at US$1 billion, approximately 36 billion baht, an announcement which has sparked debates over the worth and risks associated with such an undertaking. As part of this move, the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) under the Finance Ministry is examining the feasibility of offering these bonds in…
- Thailand News
Visa-free travel to Thailand for more international tourists
In a bid to revitalise its tourism sector, the Thai government has significantly eased visa restrictions for millions more international tourists. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared that Thai tourism has entered a new era of inclusivity, outlining the remarkable transformations underway. Previously confined to conventional markets like the European Union, the UK, the US, and Australia, visa-exempt travel has now expanded…
- Thailand News
Thai government’s plan to boost NBT channel ratings
The National Public Relations Committee convened yesterday, led by Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsutin, to tackle the crisis of low ratings for the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) channel. Currently languishing in 17th place, NBT faces an uphill battle to resonate with viewers amidst fierce competition. The committee, comprising top brass from the Government Public Relations Department, dissected the…
- Business News
Thailand’s Q1 2024 government revenue exceeds target by 0.3%
The Fiscal Policy Office announced that government revenue collection for the initial quarter of fiscal 2024 surpassed its target by 0.3%, equating to 1.62 billion baht (US$45 million), according to the director-general, Pornchai Thiraveja. Pornchai, who also serves as a spokesperson for the Finance Ministry, disclosed that the government’s net revenue collection for the initial three-month period of fiscal 2024,…
- Thailand News
Thai govt announces largest ever Songkran festival
The Thai government recently sent waves of panic through Thai expats with an announcement that this year’s Songkran, the Thai New Year, would be the largest ever, celebrated from April 1 to April 21. The terror stemmed from the misconception that this would mean 21 days of water-throwing, a popular but divisive feature of Songkran, which is also known as…
- Thailand News
Thai man cycles 400 kilometres for justice after losing disability allowance
A Thai man, paralysed in both legs, devised a plan to cycle more than 400 kilometres from the northern province of Sukhothai to Bangkok in pursuit of justice after his disability allowance was cut off. Despite his plea for assistance, authorities declined to aid him in his endeavour. A rescue team in the central province of Ang Thong accompanied the…
- Thailand News
Netizens cry foul: Thai govt accused of stealing bridge-building thunder (video)
Thai netizens accused the government under Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of stealing the spotlight from two foreigners who raised funds to build a bridge for children to cross in Koh Phayam, an island in the southern province of Ranong. A viral image circulating on social media recently captured the attention of many, showing children in school uniforms wading through a…
- Thailand News
Government and military suffer nearly 2,000 cyber attacks weekly
Thailand is grappling with an alarming surge of cyber attacks, facing an unprecedented 1,892 assaults per week, far surpassing the global average. Check Point Software Technologies unveils shocking statistics in their latest Threat Intelligence Report, exposing the kingdom’s vulnerability to Cryptominer and Botnet malware, paving the way for phishing attacks and resource hijacking. The primary targets in the past six…
- Business News
Thai government seeks interest rate cut as household debt fuels recession
Thailand’s economy is currently grappling with a recession triggered by soaring household debt, as reported by the Deputy Finance Minister, Julapun Amornvivat, today. This intensified the call for the central bank to reduce interest rates. Julapun also expressed the government’s commitment to the 500 billion baht distribution plan, which aims to allocate 10,000 baht per person to 50 million Thai…
- Thailand News
Mobile Cabinet headquarters in Ranong ready for meeting
Prime Minister’s Office Minister Puangpet Chunlaiad and Government Spokesperson Chai Wacharonke took a firsthand look at the cutting-edge Press Centre set to host the inaugural mobile Cabinet meeting of the year in Ranong province. Accompanied by Teerapong Wongsiwawilas, Secretary-General of the Prime Minister’s Office, Sudruetai Lertkasem, acting Director-General of the Public Relations Department (PRD), and Supaphong Chaolaen, Director of PRD…
- Thailand News
Thai government spends 185 billion baht in 123 days met with criticism
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s coalition government unleashed a whopping 185 billion baht assault on Thailand’s economic and social quagmires, thansettakij.com on January 13. The audacious measures by the 61 year old PM include a multifaceted approach to lighten the burden on citizens, with reductions in fuel and electricity prices, financial lifelines for struggling small to medium-sized businesses, debt relief for…
