Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Aekniti Nitithanprapas revealed that entering politics with the Bhumjaithai Party is a significant opportunity to fully apply his knowledge and skills, especially given the intellectual freedom afforded. What impressed him most was how the party and Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, as party leader, allowed him and his team to think and act independently without interference.
“For example, the Quick Big Win policy: the Prime Minister and Bhumjaithai Party gave me and my team the opportunity to think and act fully, leading to the term Plus becoming the core of the Thailand 10 Plus policy for the 2025 election campaign. My team and I take pride that this is a national-level policy.”
The results of this autonomy in work are not just plans on paper but tangible economic figures. In the final phase before the parliament dissolution, Thailand’s economy was like a vehicle stuck in a rut. GDP in Q4 2025 was forecasted to decline to only 0.3%. However, after implementing the Quick Big Win project in just over two months, the latest data from the Fiscal Policy Office showed Q4 GDP rising to 1.8%, far exceeding expectations. This proves that our efforts truly helped lift the economy out of the slump.
Thailand 10 Plus addresses inequality issues.
Aekniti stated that the Thailand 10 Plus policy is another initiative the Prime Minister and Bhumjaithai Party allowed him to design independently. This policy did not arise from speculation but from recognizing the problem of wealth concentration and the need to build new national capabilities. It consists of two main pillars with five components each, totaling 10 Plus. Pillar one focuses on inclusive growth, targeting five groups: small-scale workers Plus, salaried and vulnerable groups; elderly Plus, preparing for a society with nearly 30% elderly in 5–10 years, generating retirement income without burdening descendants; SME Plus, enhancing Made in Thailand products; community Plus, resolving debt and creating local jobs to attract youth back home; and investment Plus, spreading funds to local areas.
Meanwhile, pillar two aims to increase competitiveness to build a new 'glass' ready to receive overflowing water, including:
Education Plus, creating a Skill Bridge with free education linked to employment, avoiding wasted coupons; Green Economy Plus, attracting global interest through clean energy; Investment Plus, establishing an Investment Fast Pass to unlock 80 Board of Investment (BOI)-approved projects valued over 480 billion baht that are still stalled, requiring at least 20% actual investment within this year to immediately stimulate the economy rather than just reserved rights.
Trade Plus, once new products are created, new markets must be found. Proactive trade negotiations will open doors for Thai goods globally. Thailand Plus will build the country’s brand and international regulations, making Thailand the most attractive investment destination by reforming obstructive laws (Regulatory Guillotine) and establishing transparent, global-standard rules to assure investors of Thailand’s readiness in skilled labor, clean energy, and transparent governance.
If not 'Khon La Khrueng' (Half-Half), the system must be overhauled for a long time.
One of the most popular highlights with the public is the Khon La Khrueng Plus project. Aekniti explained this as a clear example of politics listening to practitioners while adhering to fiscal discipline. Before launching the project, they did not want to simply reduce expenses by handing out money. Instead, they added Plus to develop skills for merchants to expand online sales channels and requested the Prime Minister’s approval to provide digital and AI training. They do not just distribute money but provide fishing rods. Initially, a 60% government and 40% citizen co-payment was considered, but the system required lengthy restructuring, so a more immediate and fair method was adopted.
“The 60:40 approach was initially planned, but the system overhaul would take time. With only two months available, I told the Prime Minister to grant extra benefits to those already in the tax system to encourage enrollment. The Prime Minister agreed. This is the freedom he granted.”
Regarding the critical question of funding for future initiatives, Aekniti clarified that Bhumjaithai uses the least budget compared to other parties, based on the remaining central budget for emergency or necessary expenditures. They will use only the available funds—about 30 billion baht or less—allocating according to actual entitlements and prioritizing those previously excluded. They will not promise exaggerated figures because this is taxpayer money, not party funds.
/* No translatable content */ The coincidence of numbers 73 and 37.
Aekniti said that after 73 days of hard work, counting from 30 Sep 2025, the first cabinet meeting, until the parliament dissolution on 12 Dec 2025, the economic team of the pre-dissolution government proved it could pull the economy from near collapse to stability. Coincidentally, the number 73 aligns with Bhumjaithai Party’s list number 37 in the upcoming party-list election.
“The 73 days demonstrate that we can deliver results. Today, I ask for the opportunity to continue Thailand 10 Plus policies and lead Thailand to reach its full growth potential with responsibility and strict fiscal discipline.”