The Prime Minister has set the policy for the 2570 budget to achieve maximum benefit for the people and the country, highlighting a strict rule to cut wasteful spending. He ordered agencies to reduce building construction budgets, prioritize leasing, and declared that the arms procurement budget must ensure readiness to defend Thailand's sovereignty.
20 Apr 2026 GMT+7 Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, presided over the opening of the seminar on policy direction and guidelines for the preparation of the fiscal year 2570 expenditure budget. He stated that today marks the policy-setting occasion for the 2570 expenditure budget, which differs from previous years because we are amid a highly volatile global situation, including conflicts in the Middle East that directly impact energy security and the economies of the country and the world.
Given this situation, the government must take a leading role in adapting accordingly, improving work efficiency while using fewer resources. This begins with cutting budget plans that do not align with current conditions to the greatest extent, demonstrating a budgeting mindset that ensures every baht and satang of the people benefits the country truly and maximally.
The Prime Minister said the 2570 budget must be precise and on target, addressing the government's 10 Plus policy to lead the country out of the current crisis and support stable, sustainable progress to quickly escape the middle-income trap.
The government has set key policies to solve national issues while building investor confidence to enhance Thailand's competitiveness through five policy areas: economic, foreign affairs and security, social and disaster/environmental, public administration and legal reform—aiming for efficient government, not resigned acceptance—and a serious fight against corruption.
The 2570 expenditure budget is set at 3.788 trillion baht, only 7.4 billion baht or 0.2% more than last year. Meanwhile, necessary expenses, including legal rights and welfare costs, continue to rise significantly. Due to the 2570 budget constraints and urgent national issues, spending must be cost-effective and follow a zero-based budgeting principle—disregarding previous allocations and focusing on necessity, suitability, urgency, and cutting non-essential expenses that do not address national problems as much as possible.
Budget requests this year may increase by no more than 20% over last year's budget. Most increases will be for investment expenses, which is a strict rule for 2570 to address the current crisis and lay the foundation for sustainable national development. All budget-receiving units are instructed to reduce budget requests for study tours and new office building construction, emphasizing leasing instead. If construction is necessary, it should use public-private partnerships, requesting only essential investment budgets. For transportation routes, focus should be on maintenance rather than new expansions, particularly for the next 1-2 years, not indefinitely. Provincial cluster budgets will be allocated as legally required and only when necessary.
The Prime Minister further stated that the current energy situation requires a national energy transition toward greater use of clean and renewable energy. He urged all agencies to cooperate seriously, such as switching government vehicle fleets to electric vehicles (EVs) to save costs and reduce global oil impact. For agencies with combustion engine vehicle leases, he requested negotiating contract amendments to switch to EVs considering business feasibility and agency mission costs. Agencies should also consider installing rooftop solar panels wherever possible as a starting point to address the energy crisis.
Mr. Anutin emphasized the government's three core principles: safeguarding the nation, religion, and monarchy; upholding democracy with the King as Head of State; and committing to justice and fair law enforcement.
“Let us work together to complete this important mission to drive Thailand's stable and sustainable growth. Regarding national sovereignty, we must prioritize readiness. Our weapons must be prepared so adversaries do not think they can invade us anytime. The military and budget office must plan carefully because in any conflict, we must ensure sufficient capability to protect Thailand's sovereignty and dignity. Our land belongs only to Thai people and must appear only on Thailand's map. Therefore, all relevant agencies must prioritize defending our territory.”
At the end, the Prime Minister noted that signing the memorandum of understanding on budget data linkage and exchange among five agencies aims to promote transparency, auditability, reduce corruption, and improve government efficiency to deliver a better Thailand to future generations. It is time to build and transform the nation, ending exploitation and corruption, advancing Thailand forward with security and sustainability.
