Five-pillar blueprint to steer economy, society and environment

PM Anutin Charnvirakul’s policy statement, to be delivered in parliament this week, spans 21 pages and is built on the key pillars of the economy, foreign affairs and security, social development, disaster management and the environment, public administration and legal reform.

After the delivery on Thursday and Friday, Anutin and his new Cabinet will be able to start carrying out their duties.

On economic policy, the statement says the government will focus on promoting investment, supporting SMEs, reducing constraints on business and individual growth, as well as restructuring the Thai economy to keep pace in the digital era and remain sustainably competitive.

It will expand the role of the private sector and encourage participation in infrastructure development, while boosting international trade to integrate Thailand into the global economy better and build trade partnerships.

In agriculture, the policy aims to transition from traditional farming to precision, resilient and sustainable agriculture, while adding value throughout the supply chain to raise farmers’ incomes and quality of life.

In tourism, Thailand will be positioned as a key regional destination, shifting the focus from volume to high-value travel.

Regarding foreign affairs and security policy, the new government will prioritise strengthening border security against all forms of threat and addressing cross-border issues in cooperation with neighbouring and regional countries.

It will also continue efforts to resolve Thailand–Cambodia issues through peaceful means and existing bilateral mechanisms.

At the same time, it will expedite a study on the possible cancellation of the 2001 memorandum of understanding between Thailand and Cambodia concerning overlapping continental shelf claims (known as MOU 44).

It will also review the pre-travel free visa policy.

On social policy, the government aims to ensure genuinely free education, linking education to employment and enabling learning anytime and anywhere.

It will also enhance Thailand’s universal healthcare system, so patients can receive treatment anywhere and immediately, while updating social security laws to reflect modern employment patterns and rapidly changing lifestyles.

Healthcare services will be upgraded as well, with a focus on precision medicine and the use of AI in medical technology.

Concerning disaster and environmental policy, the government will improve water management and disaster prevention in a systematic way, accelerating the development of big data and AI for analysis and forecasting, including highly accurate, sub-district-level weather and water management systems.

A national disaster insurance system, covering all households, will be developed.

Thailand will also aim at achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, promote clean and alternative energy and expand carbon absorption areas within the country.

The policy statement also says the government will push for a “super licence” law to streamline public services for citizens, aiming for it to take effect within 180 days.

It will also fast-track omnibus legislation to address economic constraints caused by outdated laws, targeting implementation within one year.

Reforms to public procurement laws will be pursued, alongside serious efforts to tackle structural corruption.

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