BANGKOK — Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra delivered her administration’s 90-day progress report on December 12, focusing primarily on future initiatives under the theme “2025 Empowering Thais: A Real Possibility” rather than current achievements.
The presentation, which followed her succession of Srettha Thavisin as the country’s leader, drew criticism from opposition parties for being more aspirational than concrete.
In her address via the state-run NBT station, Paetongtarn unveiled an ambitious agenda for 2025, including major infrastructure projects and social welfare programs. Key initiatives include tackling environmental challenges, with plans to address flooding through new floodway construction and a targeted 50% reduction in burning activities in Chiang Mai to combat PM2.5 pollution.
Housing for Thais
The government’s economic proposals feature support for SMEs in rice exports, promotion of AI and EV industries, and development of the semiconductor sector. A significant workforce development program aims to train 280,000 students to enhance Thailand’s competitiveness in these industries.
Notable social welfare programs announced include the “One Tambon One Scholarship” initiative, providing opportunities for bright students to study at top universities domestically and abroad.
The “Baan Pheu Khon Thai” housing project promises affordable 30-square-meter apartments on State Railway Authority land, with 99-year leasehold options at 4,000 baht monthly payments.
True Digital Wallets
She detailed the government’s 10,000-baht Digital Wallet initiative, which has been structured as a three-phase rollout, with its first phase already successfully completed in 2024, benefiting 14 million vulnerable citizens.
The program is now moving into its second phase, which will distribute cash payments to 4 million elderly citizens before the Chinese New Year on January 29, 2025. The final phase, set for completion in 2025, will mark the full transition to a true digital wallet system. This last phase is particularly significant as it aims to establish a digital bridge between citizens and government services, representing a crucial step in Thailand’s transformation toward a digital economy.
Other significant announcements included a three-year debt moratorium for heavily indebted individuals, and debt clearance for accounts under 5,000 baht affecting over 335,000 account holders. The government also plans to implement a maximum 20-baht fare for MRT lines and establish district-level bilingual schools in 2025.
The presentation emphasized Thailand’s aspirations to become a global culinary and festival destination, aiming to minimize low tourist seasons while bringing the informal sector, currently at 49% of GDP, into the regulated economy.
Mixed Reactions
Opposition leader Nattapong Ruangpanyawut of the People’s Party criticized the presentation, arguing that it lacked concrete solutions to pressing issues, particularly bureaucratic reform and decentralization. He emphasized that Thailand’s drug problems cannot be effectively addressed without tackling border issues and conflicts with neighboring countries.
Sirikanya Tansakul, deputy leader of the People’s Party, pointed out that the government has actually been in power for 1 year and 4 months when including Srettha’s tenure, yet failed to provide a comprehensive review of past achievements.
Meanwhile, the business sector has expressed support for the government’s 90-day performance. Sanan Angubolkul, Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, praised the administration’s efforts in tourism, soft power initiatives, and particularly its success in attracting major global tech investments in areas such as Data Centers, Cloud Services, EV manufacturing, and semiconductor production.
However, he noted that workforce development and investment incentives still need improvement, while acknowledging the government’s ongoing efforts to tackle household and business debt issues despite limited progress.
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