Thailand and the new coalition government

PM outlines key policies; debt restructuring, digital wallet, economic stimulus and tourism boost

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra outlined ten of her government’s policies for immediate implementation in her formal statement to a joint session of parliament this morning.

She also identified nine challenges confronting Thailand and informed parliament of the middle- and long-term policies that her Pheu Thai-led government intends to realise before the next general election three years from now.

She said that she is confident that her government will deliver hope, opportunity, as well as social and economic equality to the people.

The prime minister said that the ten policies for immediate implementation include the restructuring of the entire debt system, reduction of energy and other utility charges, the formalisation informal businesses and the underground economy, the stimulation of the economy through the “digital wallet” scheme, the adding of more value to farm products to increase farmers’ revenues, tourism promotion, a crackdown on crime and the illegal narcotics trade, increased support for SMEs and improvements to social welfare.

The prime minister also said that the government has adopted mid- and long-term policies aimed at increasing Thailand’s competitiveness in the global market, setting the foundation for future development.

These policies include the promotion of local wisdom and creative culture, to increase the country’s soft power, the promotion of future industries, the development of green, digital, care and wellness markets, transformation of the local auto industry, from internal combustion engines to HEVs, PHEVs and BEVs, the delivery of major infrastructure projects, including digital technology infrastructure, and the promotion of gender equality.

She said that, while driving social and economic development, the government will protect the environment and utilise natural resources sustainably.

On political development, the prime minister said that the government will speed up the drafting of a new Constitution, to be more democratic and to uphold the rule of law and ensure transparency, and bureaucratic and military reforms.

Regarding the Monarchy, she said the government will publicise the activities of the Royal Family and Royally-sponsored projects, to create a better understanding of the role of the Monarchy in Thai democracy.

The prime minister spent about an hour presenting the government’s policies, after which the house floor was opened for debate by MPs, senators and cabinet ministers. The debate will last for 29 hours.

Bt10,000 cash handout for disabled to be paid on September 25

Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has revealed that 14.2 million vulnerable and disabled Thais will receive their 10,000 baht cash benefit from the digital wallet scheme on September 25, funded by the 140 billion baht supplementary budget for the 2024 fiscal year.

The remaining 30 million people who have subscribed to the scheme are unlikely to receive the money within this year, he added.

Asked in which month the payment will be distributed next year, the minister said there are a few options that need to be considered, including whether it will be in two payments of 5,000 baht each, the first in cash and the second in “digital money”.

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Ministry unveils new polices as part of overhaul of public health system

hailand's Ministry of Public Health has announced plans to overhaul its public health system, focusing on three key areas whilst adjusting targets to improve service levels and boost economic potential.

Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, unveiled the new policies during the opening ceremony of the Ministry of Public Health Academic Conference Project 2024, titled "Innovation in Sustainable Health Management to Improve Public Health Services in the Digital Era".

Speaking at Vongchavalitkul University in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Dr Opas outlined the ministry's priorities in line with the upcoming government policy announcement to the National Assembly.

"These three issues are important for the ministry to tackle in fiscal year 2025 in alignment with the government policy," Dr Opas said. He emphasised that the ministry would "implement it immediately, continue to do it and then develop" the initiatives.

The three key areas of focus are:

• Mental health and drug care
• The 30-baht universal healthcare scheme
• Medical hub development for the medical service industry

Dr Opas highlighted the rapid digitalisation of hospitals over the past year, noting that they now provide care to 1 million outpatients and 100,000 inpatients daily. However, he acknowledged ongoing challenges, particularly in terms of resources and financial management.

"If the financial system of the hospital is strengthened and if enough personnel and resources can be managed, it will lead to sustainability," Dr Opas explained. He revealed that hospitals currently have only about 20 billion baht in cash reserves, half of the ideal 40 billion baht needed for effective management.

"While we have made significant strides in digitising healthcare services, we must continue to invest in sustainability and ensure that our system can adapt to changing needs," Dr Opas said. He highlighted the need for sufficient resources, including personnel and funding, to maintain the quality of care.

The ministry also plans to adjust its targets to "increase the level of service for the people in the country and increase economic potential", according to Dr Opas. He noted the growing interest from other countries in sending patients to Thailand for treatment, citing the nation's "potential, quality, and price" as key factors.

In addition to these initiatives, the ministry will focus on preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which has been identified by Minister of Public Health Somsak Thepsutin as a significant threat to public health and economic productivity.

Dr Opas also discussed plans to develop the medical and health industry, or "wellness and medical hub", to generate income for the country. He estimated the value of this sector at "hundreds of billions of baht", with particular emphasis on the beauty service industry, where Thailand currently ranks second globally.

"We believe that Thailand has the potential to become a leading medical tourism destination. By investing in our public health system and promoting our expertise, we can attract patients from around the world," he said.

To improve regional healthcare management, the ministry is considering decentralising health zones.

"In the future, there is an idea to adjust the health district to have the same power as the department. An inspector-general [would have] the same power as a director-general," Dr Opas explained. This move aims to strengthen regional capabilities and better meet the needs of local communities.

As Thailand's public health system continues to evolve, these new policies and targets represent a significant step towards improving healthcare services and leveraging the sector's economic potential, he said.

THB400 minimum wage to start Oct 1 as scheduled: Phiphat

Government will not interfere with resolutions of Tripartite National Wage Committee, labour minister insists

The government is sticking to its original timeline of increasing minimum wages nationwide to 400 baht per day on October 1, for selected industries, Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakan told Parliament on Friday.

He insisted that the government will not interfere with the resolution of the Tripartite National Wage Committee, which decides the rates of minimum wages in each province.

“The ministry will discuss this issue with the Labour permanent secretary, who chairs the committee, after their next two meetings on September 17 and 24,” he said.

The committee has 15 members, with three five-member teams representing the government, employers and employees respectively.

Phiphat said that although the issue of minimum wages was not included in the government’s policy statement announced to Parliament earlier this week, he will recognise the most appropriate time for implementation.

The minister said industries that are not included in the first wave of adjustment to 400 baht per day on October 1 will receive adjustments in the second wave, expected to be announced on January 1 next year.

However, this is pending the approval of provincial wage committees, he said.

Phiphat added that his ministry is submitting a draft act to promote and protect self-employed workers, with details covering worker registration, wage structure, labour protection and legal investigation, as well as a fund to provide loans to employees in this group.

It is expected that the act will provide standardised practice and protection for emerging independent careers, such as delivery staff for online food and product platforms, also known as “riders”.

While the new law is yet to be enacted, Phiphat said riders who work under employers will be protected under the Labour Protection Act, while those not under any employers can submit complaints against platform operators to the Digital Economy and Society Ministry.

32 million digital wallet registrants will not be abandoned: Julapun

Government will prioritise payments to vulnerable groups first, says deputy finance minister

The government has assured it will disburse the 10,000-baht handouts to those who are eligible and have registered via the Thang Raj application for the digital wallet scheme, but did not set a time frame.

“No one will be abandoned from the digital wallet scheme,” Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat said on Friday. “All the eligible registrants will get their money, although the disbursement timeline cannot be specified yet.”

Under the scheme, Thais aged over 16 years will receive 10,000 baht to spend at local businesses in a bid to boost domestic spending and the local economy.

Other criteria to qualify for the handout are: the citizen should not be earning more than 840,000 baht per year and not have more than 500,000 baht in their bank accounts.

The first phase will start on September 25. Around 14.2 million people in vulnerable groups, holders of state welfare cards and those with disabilities will receive 10,000 baht per person.

Julapun said that currently more than 32 million people had registered for the handout on the Thang Raj app. The ministry will soon invite registration by those who do not have smartphones, he added.

“We want to prioritise payments to the vulnerable groups first,” he said. “After the registration of people not having smartphones concludes, we will know the total number of eligible citizens, minus those who have already been paid in the first phase.”

The deputy minister added that the government had earmarked 187 billion baht to disburse money in the second phase, expected to start next year, although he did not specify when.

Julapun acknowledged that the implementation of the digital wallet scheme had been delayed due to the transition to the new government. However, he expected the payment system to be completed by early next year, after thorough testing to ensure its reliability.

When asked if the money disbursement would be divided between cash and digital money at 50:50, Julapun said he could not provide a clear answer as the number of eligible recipients needed to be finalised first.

PM assures Mae Sai flood victims of government support

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra trudged along a muddy road and waded through floodwater today, to visit and comfort victims in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai, which is suffering the worst flooding for three decades.

During a visit to the first Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, to see the damage caused by the now receding floodwater, the prime minister was seen hugging an elderly woman and assuring her that flood victims will not be abandoned.

During a briefing on the latest situation, the prime minister asked officials how many people are still marooned in their flooded houses, when they can be rescued, whether there are sufficient food supplies and whether there are sufficient boats and vehicles to rescue trapped victims.

The prime minister was told by a military officer that there are still some people trapped at home, to which food supplies cannot yet be delivered while, in some areas, only jet skis can be used to reach them.

About 300 people are still trapped in their homes and the prime minister was told that rescue operations are ongoing.

Pheu Thai party wins by-election in Phitsanulok

Pheu Thai party’s candidate Jadet Jantar defeated Natachanon Chanaburanasak of the People’s party in the by-election in Constituency 1 of Phitsanulok on Sunday, in what is viewed as the first election victory by the ruling party in this northern provinces in many years.

Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin of the Pheu Thai party said in Phitsanulok Sunday night that Jadet’s triumph by a wide margin of more than 6,000 votes demonstrates that the people in the province recognise Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

“This is not a victory in just Phitsanuloke, but people in the whole country are looking up to the prime minister as their hope,” said Somsak among several key party members shortly after the completion of the unofficial vote count.

Somsak told the media that the Pheu Thai party had not won an election in Phitsanulok for about two decades, adding that the election victory shows that the people in Phitsanulok have trust in the prime minister as he thanked the people for voting for the party’s candidate.

Jadet disclosed that the prime minister called to congratulate him, adding that he will do his job to the best of his abilities.

Natachanon of the People’s party conceded the defeat and thanked the people in Phitsanuloke for giving him about 30,000 votes.

He said although he did not win the election, he is still willing to serve people in the province.

People’s party secretary-general Sarayuth Jailak said that the party will carry on to strengthen its base and prepare for the next general election.

According to the Election Commission’s unofficial vote count, Jadeat bagged 35,209 votes against Natachanon’s 30,640 votes. There are 138,705 eligible voters in Constituency 1. Voter’s turnout is 54.95 percent.

Veteran Pheu Thai MP tipped as new government spokesman

Jirayu Houngsub, 55, a veteran Pheu Thai MP, is tipped to become the new spokesperson for the Paetongtarn Shinawatra administration.

An informed source within the ruling Pheu Thai Party says that the prime minister has already discussed the appointment with Jirayu and will nominate him during the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. He previously served as Defence Ministry spokesman in the Srettha government.

Jirayu was a media personality with iTV, before joining the Pheu Thai Party’s communications team.

He twice won a parliamentary seat in Khlong Sam Wa district of Bangkok, before losing to the now-defunct Move Forward Party candidate in the general election last year.

It is still unknown who else will be on the team.

Earlier reports had suggested that Jakrapob Penkair, a former spokesman in the Thaksin Shinawatra government in 2006 and former red shirt leader, might take the position.

Jakrapob returned to Thailand in March after 15 year in self-imposed exile.

Phumtham starts his first day at Defence Ministry with sacred rites

Top brass join Phumtham and his deputy in honour past kings and warriors before the ministers officially assume their roles

Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai performed sacred rites and paid respect to revered figures, including statues of past kings and military leaders before officially starting work.

Phumtham, who also doubles as deputy prime minister, was joined in these ceremonies by Deputy Defence Minister General Nattapon Nakphanit.

The rites commenced at 10am, with the ministers paying respect at the Bangkok City Pillar Shrine, located near the Defence Ministry.

After this, Phumtham and Nattapon entered the ministry’s compound to make offerings to past warrior kings and generals, such as King Naresuan the Great, King Rama III and King Rama V.

Also present were Defence permanent secretary General Sanitchanok Sangkhachan, defence forces chief General Songwit Noonpackdee, Army chief General Charoenchai Hinthao, Navy chief Admiral Adung Phan-iam and Air Force chief ACM Seksan Kantha.

After the rites, Phumtham and Nattaphon reviewed the guards of honour from the Army, Navy and Air Force. They were then briefed of the current key missions of the Defence Ministry before having lunch with the top brass and the permanent secretary.

Military sources revealed that Phumtham’s first urgent mission is to find a replacement for Adung, who will retire at the end of this month. Sources say the top brass have not been able to agree on Adung’s successor.

PM Paetongtarn assigns key tasks to her top 2 deputies

Phumtham to oversee security agencies, while Prasert put in charge of digital administration and public health; decision on government spokesmen still pending

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has allocated key responsibilities to her deputies No 1 and 2 – Phumtham Wechayachai and Prasert Chantararuangthong.

Prommin Lertsuridej, PM’s secretary general, said on Monday that Phumtham has been given the job of supervising agencies related to security affairs, such as the Justice Ministry, National Security Council and National Intelligence Agency.

Prasert, meanwhile, will oversee agencies related to digital administration and public health, as well as the Office of the National Water Resources and the Natural Resources and Environment

Minister. He is also in charge of operations for promoting soft power, Prommin said.

He added that as of Monday, he had only been given the name of the next government spokesman, which needs to be approved by the Cabinet at its weekly meeting on Tuesday.

He added that he has not yet received the names of the three deputy spokespersons.

While it was speculated that Jakrapob Penkair would be reappointed as government spokesman, he said in a Facebook post that he will not be the next spokesman because he is facing many legal lawsuits.

Prommin, meanwhile, affirmed that Jakrapob is qualified for the post, but not being given it for other reasons. “His qualifications are not the problem… he has clearly explained it.”

He added that the Cabinet will also appoint some PM’s advisors when it meets on Tuesday, but did not elaborate.

PM’s maiden trip is to Qatar

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will attend the third Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) leaders’ meeting in Doha, Qatar early next month, according to a diplomatic source.

The source said that Ms. Paetongtarn will make her first foreign trip to Doha to attend the ACD leaders' meeting, which will be held on October 2-3. After this trip, she will fly to Vientiane to participate in the ASEAN-related summits from October 8-11.

Earlier, she had planned to participate in the UN Summit for the Future on September 22-23 in New York City, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

The ACD was initiated during the Thaksin administration in 2002 to promote dialogue and multifaceted cooperation among Asian countries.

At present, the ACD consists of 35 member countries across Asia, representing diverse regions such as East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and West Asia.

At a recent ACD foreign ministerial meeting in Tehran, the ACD ministers endorsed Thailand’s proposal to chair the ACD in 2025. In addition, they also adopted three key documents: the Tehran Declaration, the rules and procedures of the ACD, and the guiding principles for the functioning of the ACD Secretariat in Kuwait City.

Paetongtarn's government intends to advance the ACD during Thailand’s 2025 chairmanship. Bangkok has proposed initiatives such as organizing meetings in both formal and retreat formats, a thematic conference on global architecture, and the establishment of an ACD fund.

Thailand also aims to foster collaboration between the ACD and other international organizations, promoting dialogue and cooperation among Asian nations in areas of mutual interest, particularly in economic, social, and sustainable development.

Flood victims to receive maximum 230,000 baht per household

Prime Minister assures households affected by floods of financial support, sets up centre to supervise relief efforts

The government will provide a maximum of 230,000 baht in financial aid to every household affected by floods in several provinces, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said on Monday.

This money is on top of the 40,000 to 50,000 baht compensation being paid for other cases, such as deaths, PM’s secretary-general Prommin Lertsuridej, added.

Paetongtarn said that she would propose to the Cabinet that 3 billion baht be disbursed from the central budget for flood relief during the meeting on Tuesday.

After meeting with the Flood, Storm and Mudslide Situation Administration and Management Committee on Monday, the PM said the government would establish the Flood Situation Administration and Management Support Centre to supervise the flood situation and relief efforts.

The centre will be chaired by Deputy PM and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, with Deputy PM and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul serving as deputy chairman.

Paetongtarn said the flood levels in the Northeastern region are rising, while the inundations in the North are now stable despite heavy rains in some areas.

She added that provincial authorities are monitoring the flow of water and will alert provinces located downstream to prepare for possible flooding, including announcing flood warnings and evacuation plans for people in risky areas.

The PM insisted that people must be warned of incoming floods several days in advance.

She said that the Army Area 2 is now standing by in Ubon Ratchathani, the last province in the Northeast to receive water from Mekong River before it flows into Laos to prevent overflows.

Officials believed that the situation this year should not be worse than in previous years, the PM said.

She added that the Chao Phraya River still has the capacity to receive more water, so runoff from the flooding will not affect the Bangkok metropolitan area.

Paetongtarn said she has also discussed with the Interior Ministry a waiver on power and water bills for September, and offer a 30% discount for October to reduce people’s financial burden during the flood situation.

“If the situation worsens or is prolonged, more aid measures will be considered,” she said.

Jirayu named PM’s adviser, not govt spokesman

Former Pheu Thai MP given the job of disseminating accurate information of the government’s work, instead of spokesman’s job as speculated earlier

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has appointed former Bangkok Pheu Thai MP Jirayu Huangsap as one of her advisers, instead of government spokesman as speculated earlier.

An order signed by Paetongtarn on Monday appoints Jirayu as adviser to the PM, responsible for communicating the government’s work to the public. His role will involve ensuring accurate and timely information is provided to foster a positive public understanding of the government’s activities.

The order also calls on all government agencies to support Jirayu in this role when required. Additionally, the PM’s Secretariat has been tasked with facilitating his work and paying his salary.

It was speculated earlier that Jirayu would be named government spokesman after he visited PM’s Secretary-General Prommin Lertsuridej at Government House on Monday.

On the same day, Jirayu said he was not sure about his appointment and that it would only be clear after the weekly Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

Govt eyes bringing back ‘We Travel Together’ co-payment scheme

Tourism authorities enthusiastic about the reintroduction of the programme, which aims to boost domestic travel

To further boost the tourism industry, the Tourism and Sports Ministry is planning to bring back the popular “Rao Tiew Duay Kan” (We Travel Together) co-payment scheme implemented to revive the industry after the Covid-19 outbreak.

The scheme, which offers up to 40% subsidy on room rates, airfares, and restaurants at domestic establishments for Thai travellers, would help boost their spending during vacations, Minister Sorawong Thienthong said on Tuesday during a meeting with over 20 tourism entrepreneurs and associations.

“Rao Tiew Duay Kan benefitted all levels of tourism entrepreneurs, from big hotels to small food stalls,” he said. “The ministry will discuss with related agencies the details of the scheme in the new phase.”

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said that the campaign should be able to start immediately after receiving Cabinet approval as it has been implemented before, and new users can register on the existing platforms of Krungthai Bank and the Pao Tang application.

She added that the TAT would look into the period during which the campaign should be active, as the number of tourists during weekends and holidays is already high, and tourism entrepreneurs often raise their prices during these periods.

Thapanee added that the authority is also considering removing the age limit of 18 under the We Travel Together scheme to maximise the number of participants.

Sorawong told the meeting that the ministry is also discussing with tourism agencies the details of the landing tax, or “Kha Yeap Pan Din”, to be collected from foreign arrivals. He underscored that the tax is necessary for the development of tourist attractions and providing care to foreign tourists visiting Thailand.

“I personally agree with the collection of the landing tax, but the details and forms of collection still need further discussion, to avoid creating a negative impact on travellers’ sentiments,” he said.

The highly controversial tourist tax was approved in principle by the Cabinet in February last year. It aims to levy 300 baht ($8.99) on foreigners arriving by air and 150 baht ($4.49) on those arriving by land or sea. The money earned would be used to buy insurance for foreigners and the remainder added to the Tourism Development Fund.

Cabinet approves cash benefits to begin September 25

The cabinet approved so-called digital wallet scheme today, under which 14.5 million vulnerable and disabled Thais will be the first each to receive the 10,000 baht cash benefit, which will be wired into their bank accounts between September 25 and 30, said Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira.

For the remaining 30 million people who have subscribed to receive the benefit, he assured them that they will each receive 10,000 baht as promised by the government, but it is yet to be finalised, by an economic stimulation committee which is yet to be set up, when the payments will be made and whether they will be in cash or “digital money” or both.

Pichai explained all the reasons cited by the government to justify the digital wallet scheme, such as Thailand’s economic growth, which is less than its potential, contraction of the production of industrial goods and agricultural produce during the first half of this year, contraction of domestic consumption over the past seven months, increased household debt, slow global economic recovery and a fall in the consumer and SME confidence indices.

Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat, meanwhile, advised digital wallet subscribers to check their bank accounts to see whether the benefit has been wired to them after end of September.

If not, he said more will be disbursed on October 22nd, November 22nd and December 22nd, adding that, after these three transfers, the scheme will be considered complete for the vulnerable and disabled group.

Pheu Thai to propose charter amendment for clearer ethical standards

The coalition leader aims to clarify criteria for charging and removing political office holders over breach of ethical standards

Pheu Thai Party may next week submit a bill to amend the Constitution to set clear criteria and conditions for charging and removing political office holders for breaches of ethical standards.

PM’s Office Minister Chusak Sirinil said on Tuesday that the drafting of the bill is nearly complete.

“The amendment will be introduced in the name of the Pheu Thai Party, not the government, and should be presented to the House as early as next week,” he said.

The bill is expected to include four or five articles that will define violations of ethical standards clearly, eliminating the need for further clarification or interpretation.

Chusak noted that the opposition is also preparing a similar bill. “Each party will submit their bill to be deliberated in Parliament,” he added.

He said that the current charter provides vague guidelines of severe ethical violations, which the amendment aims to address by outlining specific definitions and procedures for filing complaints and court trials.

The proposed amendment follows the August 14 removal of former PM Srettha Thavisin by the Constitutional Court for breaching the code of ethics by appointing Pichit Cheuban as a Cabinet member.

Pichit had previously been jailed for attempting to bribe court officials.

The new bill will stipulate that political office holders can only be suspended once their cases are accepted by the court for trial, rather than merely upon submission of complaints to the National Anti-Corruption Commission. This, he said, will prevent the misuse of the complaints process.

Additionally, he said, the bill will also require that court rulings on such cases be reached by an overwhelming majority instead of a simple majority. Chusak cited Srettha’s removal, decided by a simple 5:4 vote, as an example of why a higher threshold was needed.

He denied that the Pheu Thai was trying to amend the charter to protect its own interest, asserting instead that the proposed changes aim to enhance the fairness of the process and ensure effective governance.

FM Maris confirms Thailand to host “ASEAN Troika Plus” on Myanmar

Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa today outlined what he described as Thailand’s proactive diplomacy that will, among other things, see the country host the ASEAN Troika Plus meeting later this year to discuss efforts to help resolve the crisis in Myanmar.

ASEAN countries endorsed the Thai initiative during their recent ministerial meeting in Vientiane which Maris said demonstrated the grouping’s recognition of Thailand’s role in finding a peaceful solution to the conflict.

The timing of the meeting has yet to be decided but is expected to be held after the ASEAN Summit which will take place in Vientiane in October.

The ASEAN Troika is a consultation mechanism of the 10-country grouping dealing with the Myanmar crisis which comprises foreign ministers of the previous, present, and future chair countries of the bloc -- Indonesia, Laos, and Malaysia, respectively. The "plus" refers to other ASEAN members interested in contributing to resolving the Myanmar crisis.

“Thailand will continue to be proactive in engaging key countries, especially ASEAN, in dialogue on Myanmar,” Maris said at a press conference at the Foreign Ministry to discuss priorities of the Paetongtarn government’s foreign policy.

He said they are designed to advance what he described as “diplomacy for the people” and “proactive diplomacy.”

Maris said high on the agenda are transboundary issues, specifically narcotic drugs, water management, call scams and air pollution.

Priority will also be given to efforts to bring peace back to the three strife-torn southern provinces through economic cooperation between Thailand and Malaysia which he said are working on a special economic zone project to be set up in the border area.

To help promote tourism, Maris said the Foreign Ministry is introducing what is known as “Destination Thailand Visa” which aims to provide long-term visa for a stay up to 180 days to attract global talents, such as digital nomads wanting to live and work remotely in Thailand.

Also on the cards is a single tourist visa under the so-called “six countries, one destination” policy designed to promote tourism and connectivity in the sub-region.

Maris, who is now serving his second stint as foreign minister, said the Foreign Ministry also intends to play an active role in promoting Thailand “soft power” with a plan to stage Thai festivals worldwide in at least 30 countries by 2025 to showcase local Thai products.

Ministry scraps extending Don Muang Tollway concession
Ministry scraps extending Don Muang Tollway concession

Operator will be allowed to raise toll fees as specified in the contract, with the first increase to come in December

The Transport Ministry has decided not to extend the concession contract with Don Muang Tollway Plc, operator of the Uttaraphimuk Elevated Tollway, also known as Don Muang Tollway in northern Bangkok, saying that doing so would not be worth the cost.

As a criterion for extending the contract, the company has asked for a subsidy to keep the toll fee unchanged throughout the rest of the contract period, which ends in 2034, Deputy PM and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit said on Wednesday.

“A study by the Department of Highways found that extending the concession is not worthwhile,” he said. “Therefore, the ministry decided not to extend the concession contract and will allow the operator to raise the toll fees as specified in the contract.”

This means the fee for the Don Muang Tollway will go up by 5-10 baht on December 22 this year, and then again in December 2029, Suriya said, while asking the public to “be patient for a little longer”.

Suriya added that he has tasked the department with negotiating with the company to provide discounts and other promotional campaigns to help reduce people’s financial burden caused by the raising of toll fees. He expected these campaigns to be announced before the first toll fee hike comes into effect.

The hike scheduled on December 22 will see the fee for the Din Daeng – Don Muang section go up by 10 baht, and for the Don Muang - National Memorial section increase by 5 baht.

Currently the fee starts at 40 baht and is capped at 170 baht, depending on the type of vehicle and distance travelled.

Don Muang Tollway starts in Bangkok’s Phaya Thai district and ends in Pathum Thani’s Khlong Luang district, with a combined distance of the two sections of 28.22 kilometres. The elevated tollway provides a faster alternative to the often-congested Vibhavadi Rangsit Road.

Commerce Ministry’s policies largely unchanged, Pichai says

Accelerating the restructuring of exports is crucial, new minister stresses

Pichai Naripthaphan, minister of commerce, says the ministry will continue the initiatives of the previous minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, who was also deputy prime minister. The policy consists of 10 key points, with three new ones:

Reduce expenses, increase incomes, and expand opportunities.
Manage a balance between consumers and business operators.
Enhance the efficiency of proactive operations by provincial and commercial attachés.
Revise outdated laws to accommodate the rapidly changing global trade landscape.
Drive grassroots economic policies.
Boost exports, aiming for 1-2% growth this year.
Promote the use of free-trade agreements (FTAs).
Encourage Thai businesses to expand internationally.
Modernise the export structure.
Encourage environmentally friendly production among entrepreneurs.

“With the potential and expertise of the officials at the Ministry of Commerce, we can drive these policies toward success," Pichai said. “I am confident that the ministry will continue to advance the country's trade and investment. Apart from the policies I have set out, if anyone has good ideas or innovative thinking, I am open to discussions. My door is always open."

He said accelerating the restructuring of exports is crucial because Thailand’s current export products have become outdated. Relying on past successes is no longer feasible; the country must quickly develop new businesses and export products in high-potential industries, especially the S-curve industries.

He highlighted the PCB (printed circuit board) industry as one with significant potential, predicting that it could attract around 1 trillion baht in investment in the future.

Such investments would create a ripple effect, leading to the emergence of new export products in S-curve sectors, such as smart TVs and smartphones, which are technology products that can significantly increase export revenue. Additionally, this would generate employment and increase income for Thai workers, Pichai said.

Regarding the government’s measures to reduce expenses, increase incomes, and expand opportunities, he said the government would implement measures to lower costs, such as debt moratoriums for farmers to relieve them from paying high interest rates. Support would also be provided for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

He expressed hope that the Bank of Thailand would lower interest rates and manage the baht to prevent it from being too strong, thus reducing overall costs and supporting exporters.

"I want to emphasise that the current exchange rate of 33 baht per dollar is too strong. It has appreciated by 5-6% in just a month, and exporters are struggling to survive,” he said.

“The rate of 33 baht per dollar needs to be urgently addressed by the Bank of Thailand, as it negatively impacts exports, especially agricultural products, which already operate on thin margins. I’m not in a feud with the central bank, but it’s clear that while our competitors’ currencies have weakened, ours hasn’t, and that’s not right.”

PM's Alpine shares have all been transferred, but ...


Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s latest transactions involving Alpine stocks were meant to guard against a lethal constitutional ambush, but they could be used against her still.

All of her Alpine shares have been transferred to her mother, meaning that, legally, the prime minister does not have anything to do with the controversial golf club. But the activity also confirmed the fact that she did, for a long time and up until very recently. This, coupled with some more crucial facts, can be a political bomb.

The first fact has to do with a court ruling sentencing a former Pheu Thai leader, Yongyuth Wichaidit, to jail. He was accused of malfeasance while serving as acting permanent secretary for interior regarding a ministerial order facilitating a highly-controversial ownership transfer.

The land on which the golf course is situated had been donated to a southern temple, but thanks largely to Yongyuth, it was taken over by private developers and the property ended up in the hands of the Shinawatras at the height of their political powers. (One key explanation for the transformation of the property was that the donated land and the southern temple were too far apart.)

The second fact is what the Constitutional Court said regarding ex-prime minister Srettha Thavisin’s appointment of Pichit Chuenban to his Cabinet. “Integrity”, albeit ethics, was outstanding in that verdict, paving the way for future harsh action against politicians who may not have directly violated the law but can be perceived as having acted unethically.

The third fact is the Shinawatras holding firmly onto the property despite major legal as well as ethical questions and what happened to Yongyuth. This can be interpreted two ways. It can be perceived as “in defiance of the law”, or the Shinawatras can argue that they have the right to protect their investment until the very end.

The fourth fact concerns Yongyuth’s political career path, what happened while Paetongtarn’s father Thaksin was prime minister, and recent written evidence of the Shinawatras as Alpine owners acknowledging potential legal hiccups due to the ownership questions.

All these can be used against Paetongtarn in a possible Constitutional Court battle.

As far as the conservatives are concerned, the Alpine case has a “Thaksin signature”, in that controversial ownerships are transferred to those who were less likely to have legal problems while in practice nothing significantly changes. Also, an infamous characteristic of Thaksin’s reign, the issue of conflict of interest, can flare up again once the Paetongtarn government is pressured to take a serious look at the Alpine ownership question.

PM orders quick disposal of flood-related mud and garbage in

PM orders quick disposal of flood-related mud and garbage in Chiang Rai

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has ordered officials to dispose of flood-related mud and garbage in Chiang Rai province quickly, as cleaning equipment and other relief supplies are being flown into the province.

The Mueang and Mae Sai districts, which were hit by devastating flooding about two weeks ago, are currently facing mud and dust problems. About 58,000 tonnes of garbage, including mud, remain in the two districts, waiting to be collected and disposed of before situation can return to normal.

One major challenge facing the officials is the lack of space for temporary storage of the garbage, before properly disposal in landfills or incinerators. A landlord in Mae Sai district, has even agreed to allow 4.2 hectares of his land to be used for the temporary dumping of garbage and mud collected from Mueang and Mae Sai districts, free of charge.

The prime minister also instructed officials to flush out mud which is clogging drains in Chiang Rai, before it hardens, adding that the officials will not be withdrawn until the job is completed.

It is reported that His Majesty the King has donated 100 high-pressure water pumps to get rid of mud from roads and houses, left behind by the floods.

The prime minister said that officials in charge the flood relief operation centre will meet every day to assess the relief operations, adding that she will personally join the meeting next Sunday.

The government, she added, is expediting the disbursement of compensation for flood victims, with the first payments to be made within November.

She assured that economic stimulus measures will be launched after the flood-related problems have been resolved, adding however that, for the time being, it is necessary for the Commerce Ministry to ensure that prices of goods are not increased to the extent which will negatively affect consumers.

Meanwhile, well-known businessman Tan Passakornnatee announced in his Facebook post today the rental of 30 backhoes with operators, 90 low-loader trucks and 10 ten-wheel trucks for a period of 30 days to help in the clean-up operations.

Minister confident apps for Bt10,000 cash payouts will be problem-free

Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Chantararuangthong said this morning that all the applications, through which disabled and vulnerable people can check for confirmation of their rights to receive the 10,000 baht benefits under the digital wallet scheme, are functioning properly and have not experienced any faults.

He also said that he does not think there will be any problem relating to the payment when the 10,000 baht is paid from Wednesday onward for the 14.5 million disabled and vulnerable people, including welfare card holders.

Many of this group logged into the three websites and the “Rath Jai” application to check for confirmation of their right to receive the money, while others called the Customer Relations Centre for State Welfare Cards to seek conformation.

According to the payment plan, the first group of 3.17 million, out of 14.5 million disabled and vulnerable people, with their ID cards ending with “0” will get paid tomorrow, followed by 4.51 million whose ID cards end with “1”, “2” or “3” on Thursday. The rest will get paid on either on Friday or September 30th.

Pornchai Thiraveja, director of the Fiscal Policy Office and spokesman for the Finance Ministry, said that those among the disabled and vulnerable group of people who missed out or who did not subscribe for the PromptPay system in time will still be entitled to the money, to be paid on October 22 or November 22, providing that they renew their ID cards for disabled people.

The disabled who do not have a disabled personÂ’s ID card or whose cards have expired can apply for new cards by December 3 so they can claim the 10,000 baht.

PM’s policy advisory team to play a major role in govt decisions

Modelled on Chatichai Choonhavan’s Ban Phitsanulok Advisory Team in the late 1980s, this new version features a strong panel of experts

The Prime Minister's policy advisory team, led by Pansak Vinyaratn as chief advisor, Dr Surapong Suebwonglee as deputy chief advisor, and advisors Supavud Saicheua, Tongthong Chandransu, and Pongthep Thepkanjana, is tasked with providing recommendations and suggestions on government policy implementation as assigned by the Prime Minister.

Pansak is a trusted confidant of Thaksin Shinawatra, with whom he has maintained close communication for advice and on whose CARE (Creative Action for Revival & People Empowerment ) talk programme he appeared occasionally while the former prime minister was in exile abroad. In his new role, he will oversee both domestic and international policy perspectives.

The advisory team is composed of experienced figures from various fields, including academics, legal experts, and former civil servants, all of whom have worked closely with Thaksin and Paetongtarn.

Prior to the 2023 elections, Dr Surapong played a leading role in promoting the CARE group under the slogan “Think, Move, Thailand.” This initiative led to a political analysis programme with Thaksin as the main speaker. He later provided advice to Paetongtarn when she became chairperson for Participation and Innovation at the Pheu Thai Party.

Supavud Saicheua was considered for the post of Finance Minister to drive economic policies promoted by Pheu Thai during the 2023 election campaign. He remains an economic advisor to the party.

Tongthong Chandransu, former Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office, held the same position during Yingluck Shinawatra’s administration from 2011 to 2014.

Pongthep Thepkanjana, former Deputy Prime Minister in Yingluck's government, has a strong legal background, having served as a member of the 1997 Constitution Drafting Assembly and worked alongside Thaksin since the Palang Dharma Party, eventually joining Thai Rak Thai. He is expected to help drive the government’s constitutional and legal reforms.

This advisory model is seen as a revival of the “Ban Phitsanulok Advisory Team,” which General Chatichai Choonhavan, the 17th Prime Minister, appointed when he took office.

Chatichai’s goal in 1988 was for this team of intellectuals and young scholars to help refine the government's policies.

One of the most notable achievements of the Ban Phitsanulok Advisory Team, with Pansak as chief advisor, was the “Turning Battlefields into Marketplaces” policy, which ended internal conflicts in Cambodia and fostered economic cooperation between Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, significantly boosting the economies of both Thailand and its neighbours.

Pansak holds a degree in International Law from the University of London and worked as a journalist for the English-language daily Bangkok World before going into the computer consultancy business where he provided legal consultation on copyright law.

After his tenure with the Ban Phitsanulok advisory team, Pansak was invited by the Thaksin Shinawatra administration to serve as chief policy advisor for the Thai Rak Thai Party. He also served as an advisor to the governments of Samak Sundaravej and Yingluck Shinawatra.

However, in the Srettha Thavisin government, Pansak was not included in the Prime Minister's advisory team. Srettha appointed him as an advisor and member of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee.

A source within the government compared the differences in the advisory approaches of two prime ministers, Srettha and Paetongtarn, noting that Paetongtarn tends to listen to input from both civil servants and political appointees before issuing directives and is likely to take her advisory team's opinions into account.

In contrast, Srettha, with a high level of self-confidence and a more assertive personality, tended to issue directives without much consultation, which reportedly led to discontent among civil servants in the government and affected the administration's policy execution.

The advisory team, with Pansak playing a key role in setting the strategic direction, and Dr Surapong facilitating communication between the chief advisor and Paetongtarn, aims to ensure that the Pheu Thai Party's flagship policies are effectively implemented.

Commerce Ministry to explore why pork prices are so high

The Commerce Ministry is inspecting pork prices nationwide in a bid to reduce expenses for Thai consumers and boost the competitiveness of producers.

Ministry spokesperson Wittayakorn Maneenetr said on Tuesday that the decision was taken after Thailand’s pork price was found to be higher than in other countries.

The ministry’s Department of Internal Trade (DIT) has been tasked to collaborate with relevant agencies on seeking ways to ensure fairness among producers and consumers, he said.

He stressed there is no plan to import pork, saying that the ministry will place emphasis on tackling the price issue domestically to relieve the expense burden on Thais.

Wittayakorn said DIT and relevant agencies are looking into the cost of piglets, animal feed and livestock management, so livestock raisers, slaughterhouses and processing plants can reduce production costs and become more competitive.

Relevant agencies have been tasked to come up with guidelines for reducing the cost of pork production and proposing these to Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan without delay, he said.

Currently, the price of live pigs is around 72.30 baht per kilogramme, while the price of pork nationwide is 133.94 baht/kg.

Bhumjaithai party in favour of drafting a new Constitution

The executive committee of the Bhumjaithai party resolved in favour of the drafting of a new Constitution today, by a constitution drafting assembly, with the exception of Chapters 1 and 2 of the current charter.

Chapter 2 concerns the monarchy and Chapter 1 concerns the Thai state, which also encompasses matters relating to the monarchy, the democratic system with the King as head of state, the rule of law, rights and liberties of the people and equality.

Karavee Prissananantakul, a member of the executive committee, said that the committee believes that a charter which is drafted by a charter-drafting assembly will be more acceptable to the public.

Bhumjaithai party’s secretary-general, Chaichana Chidchob, meanwhile, said the party is yet to be contacted by the Pheu Thai party for discussions about constitutional amendments relating to the ethical standards of politicians and political office holders.

He said the party agrees that ethical standards are important, the upholding of which should be mandatory for both politicians and political parties.

Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul, meanwhile, said that maintaining ethical standards is not the party’s political position but it is “a way of life”, adding that if politicians do not want have their ethical standards screened, then they better stay at home or do their own business instead of ‘playing’ at politics.

Anutin, also a deputy prime minister, said Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra believes that, if a person complies with the law and does not do anything wrong, he or she should not be afraid to be scrutinized.

The ruling Pheu Thai party is keen to amend the charter pertaining to ethical standards, following the case of former prime minister Srettha Thavisin who was found guilty by the Constitutional Court for ethical misconduct for his appointment of a convict, Phichit Chuenban, as a minister.

Paetongtarn holds first meeting of policy advisory team

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra held the first meeting of her policy advisory team at Ban Phitsanulok residence on Thursday morning.

Paetongtarn arrived at 9.05am and prayed at the mansion’s statues, before beginning the meeting at 10am.

The team of advisers, appointed earlier in an order signed by Paetongtarn, is seen as being modelled on the Ban Phitsanulok Advisory Team of late former prime minister Chatichai Chooonhavan in the late 1980s.

Paetongtarn’s team of five advisers is led by Pansak Vinyaratn, followed by Dr Surapong Suebwonglee as deputy chief adviser, and advisers Supavud Saicheua, Tongthong Chandransu, and Pongthep Thepkanjana. It is tasked with forming and proposing policies for the Pheu Thai-led government.

Following the meeting, Paetongtarn is due to attend the National Defence College graduation ceremony this afternoon to receive her first-class certificate in national defence for future executives.

She assigned the advisory team to announce the results of the meeting at a Government House press briefing later this afternoon.