At 11:30 a.m. on May 20, 2025, Government Spokesman Jirayu Huangsub announced that the 19th Cabinet Meeting of the year approved a 157-billion-baht economic stimulus plan proposed by the Ministry of Finance, based on resolutions from the Economic Stimulus Policy Committee’s second meeting on May 19.

The plan encompasses infrastructure development, tourism enhancement, export support, productivity improvement, and community-based economic programs. It aims to inject funds into the economy to sustain employment and lay a foundation for long-term growth. The budget will be sourced from the FY2025 central budget under the economic strengthening initiative.

Key Project Components:

  1. Infrastructure:
    • Water Management: Flood prevention, drought water storage, water distribution for agriculture, and waterworks upgrades.
    • Transport: Bottleneck relief, safety enhancements, rail-road intersection improvements, truck rest stops, and road upgrades linking secondary cities and tourist zones.
  2. Tourism Development:
    • Upgrading tourist sites, sports facilities, restrooms, and signage.
    • Enhancing tourist services and safety, including CCTV installation.
    • Promoting domestic tourism, especially in secondary cities.
  3. Export/Productivity Support:
    • Agriculture: Promote tech-driven farming and land optimization.
    • Labor: Financial measures for exporters to support employment through the Social Security Fund.
    • Digital: Develop digital infrastructure to boost e-government and international trade.
  4. Community Economy:
    • Village Funds (SML): Budget support for grassroots economic development.
    • Community Projects: Tailored initiatives based on local stakeholder needs.
    • Human Capital: Educational development as a foundation for economic growth.

Implementation Timeline:

  • Agencies must submit project proposals by May 2025.
  • The Cabinet is expected to approve vetted projects by June 2025.
  • Budget allocation by the Budget Bureau is scheduled for July 2025.

Oversight and Monitoring:

  • A subcommittee led by the Deputy Permanent Secretary for Finance will monitor and report project outcomes.

PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra stated that this plan is expected to drive short-term economic growth through accelerated spending on ready-to-implement infrastructure projects. It aims to stimulate job creation and income distribution while laying the groundwork for long-term productivity gains and competitive capacity.