Bangkok: The Economic Cabinet is advocating for significant measures to uplift tourism in secondary cities through a 1.5-fold tax deduction, while also pursuing energy efficiency initiatives under the “Quick Big Win” policy.
According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Anutin Charnvirakul, led a meeting of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) to review economic strategies spearheaded by the Ministry of Finance. The focus is on implementing the Ministry of Energy’s tourism and energy measures aimed at reducing public living costs and enhancing community income via solar projects. This approach aligns with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Ekniti Nitithanpraphas, who is working alongside the Board of Investment to encourage foreign companies to establish factories that require ample electricity. The Prime Minister engaged leaders from the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, the Provincial Electricity Authority, and the Metropolitan Electricity Authority to deliberate on the initiative.
Prime Minister’s Office Spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat disclosed that the energy measures will include three main strategies and nine associated projects. Key projects involve community solar farms, solar-powered water pumps for agriculture, and incentives for residential solar rooftops. These efforts are designed to enhance energy efficiency as part of the government’s Quick Big Win strategy and will be submitted for Cabinet approval following legal and procedural review.
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of community solar farm projects and residential solar installations, highlighting their potential to lower costs and generate income for the public. Additionally, the initiative will integrate carbon credit measures to support global warming mitigation, contributing to income generation in various communities. Ministries are encouraged to propose non-routine, high-impact projects for inclusion in the fiscal work plan, to be reviewed at upcoming economic meetings.
The government aims for all projects to maintain transparency, adhere to fiscal discipline, and prioritize national and public interests, thereby boosting Thailand’s standing with investors and rating agencies. The Prime Minister urged the Ministry of Energy and associated bodies to expedite plan implementations, ensuring they produce tangible benefits and comply with existing laws and Cabinet directives.
Mr. Siripong stated, “The Economic Cabinet has called on the Ministry of Interior, Agriculture and Cooperatives, Natural Resources and Environment, and Finance to fully back the Ministry of Energy’s initiatives. In upcoming discussions, the Ministry of Commerce will address economic, trade, export, and public cost-of-living issues.”