Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul outlined his government’s policy agenda to parliament on Monday, focusing on immediate actions to revive the country’s economy.
Mr Anutin said that renewing tourists’ confidence, achieving a peaceful end to the conflict with Cambodia, resolving trade issues, and boosting people’s incomes are the key policies of his government.
“The government aims to increase incomes and reduce daily living expenses for the public, including energy costs, clean drinking water, and transportation fares, thereby boosting consumer spending power,” the premier said.
Initiatives such as the “Khon La Khrueng” (co-payment) scheme will be implemented alongside managing agricultural product prices at appropriate levels, he said.
He stated that the government aims to resolve personal debt issues for individuals with debts not exceeding 100,000 baht and alleviate the debt trap faced by many Thais. It will also increase liquidity for small and medium-sized enterprises with loans up to 1 million baht.
Mr Anutin said the government would focus on ensuring safety and combating scams targeting tourists, thereby restoring confidence in Thailand as a travel destination.
To address the impact of ongoing trade issues, a “Team Thailand” will be established to boost free trade with existing partners and proactively open new markets. Support will be extended to entrepreneurs and farmers, particularly those affected by US tariff measures.
On the security front, he said the government will resolve the Thailand-Cambodia border dispute through peaceful means, bringing safety to border communities.
Regarding social issues, Mr Anutin said that the government will take a firm stance against all forms of illegal gambling, and it does not support the legalisation of any gambling businesses.
“Our administration is determined to move Thailand forward with honesty and virtue,” Mr Anutin said. “We will place the country’s interests above all else and build public confidence through responsible fiscal management.”
During the House session, the People’s Party (PP) and opposition leader, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, reminded Mr Anutin to begin the constitutional rewriting process before dissolving the House in four months. Mr Natthaphong said charter amendment and House dissolution were conditions the PP had set in exchange for supporting Mr Anutin’s premiership.
The PP, with 143 MPs and the largest bloc in the House, emerged as kingmaker after the Constitutional Court dismissed former prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra late last month for an ethics violation.
Among its conditions, the PP also demanded Mr Anutin promise not to recruit additional MPs to turn his interim minority administration into a majority government.
Mr Natthaphong pledged to hold the government to account in his role as opposition leader.