Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced plans to allocate 157 billion baht to revitalise Thailand’s tourism industry, emphasizing enhancements in visitor safety and convenience, alongside broader efforts to stimulate growth in the sector.
Ms. Paetongtarn presided over the second meeting of the year on Friday, which assessed the current state of Thailand’s tourism. The discussion centered on five key areas for comprehensive development: public relations, tourist safety, ease of travel, tourism infrastructure, and the organization of events aimed at boosting both short-term and long-term tourism.
She highlighted the need for seamless cooperation among all stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of these initiatives.
Meanwhile, during the third day of the House of Representatives’ debate on the 2026 fiscal budget, People’s Party MP Pukkamon Nunarnan criticized the government’s allocation of 26.5 billion baht for provincial budgets. She argued that these funds predominantly benefit major cities, thereby widening the development gap between urban and rural areas.
Referencing a World Bank report, she pointed out that around 70% of government expenditure is concentrated in Bangkok, resulting in over half of the provinces underperforming. She criticized current projects for focusing primarily on infrastructure—such as roads, bridges, and lighting—rather than on “building” good citizens through education and improving quality of life.
“You should allocate budgets based on actual development needs, not for those in power to share profits,” she asserted.
