BANGKOK, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Monday unveiled the government's policy framework for the next fiscal year, emphasizing targeted spending, strict financial discipline and strategic investments to navigate a highly volatile global landscape.
In a keynote address, Anutin stressed the necessity of adapting to global uncertainties, particularly conflicts in the Middle East, and announced that his government will urgently review and cut funding for non-essential projects to maximize efficiency.
He noted that the 2027 fiscal year budget framework is set at 3.79 trillion baht (around 118 billion U.S. dollars), a marginal increase of 0.2 percent from the previous year, despite continuously rising necessary expenditures.
To manage this, Anutin mandated a zero-based budgeting approach, requiring agencies to justify expenses based on necessity, urgency and current circumstances.
He also laid down an "iron rule" for state agencies, saying budget request increases must not exceed 20 percent of the previous year's allocation and must be strictly allocated for capital investment.
The 2027 budget is aimed at helping Thailand escape the middle-income trap and laying a foundation for sustainable development with a focus on five core areas, including economy, foreign affairs and security, society, disaster and environment, and government administration, he added.
In a push for energy transformation, the prime minister will prioritize clean energy by promoting electric and hybrid vehicles in the state fleet and installing solar rooftops on government buildings to address long-term energy crises. ■
