The Royal Gazette has published the Royal Decree authorizing the Ministry of Finance to borrow funds to address impacts from the energy crisis and to facilitate the country’s energy transition in 2026, with a borrowing limit of 400 billion baht.
On 9 May 2026, the Royal Gazette website published the Royal Decree authorizing the Ministry of Finance to borrow funds to address impacts from the energy crisis and to support the country’s energy transition in 2026.
His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun granted the decree on 4 May 2026, in the 11th year of his reign.
His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun graciously commanded the promulgation of a law authorizing the Ministry of Finance to borrow funds to address impacts from the energy crisis and to facilitate the country’s energy transition. Exercising the power under Section 172 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, His Majesty graciously approved this Royal Decree as follows.
Section 1 This Royal Decree shall be called the “Royal Decree Authorizing the Ministry of Finance to Borrow Money to Address Impacts from the Energy Crisis and Facilitate the Country’s Energy Transition, B.E. 2569 (2026).”
Section 2 This Royal Decree shall come into force from the date of its publication in the Royal Gazette onward.
Section 3 For the purpose of addressing impacts from the energy crisis affecting the public, farmers, and entrepreneurs; maintaining the stability of the national economy; and effectively facilitating the country’s energy transition to adopt renewable and alternative energy technologies timely, the Ministry of Finance, with Cabinet approval, is authorized to borrow Thai baht or foreign currency or issue debt instruments in the name of the Government of Thailand, not exceeding a total of 400 billion baht, with loan contracts or debt instruments signed by 30 September 2027.
Section 4 Borrowing under this Royal Decree shall be regarded as borrowing under Section 53 of the State Fiscal and Financial Discipline Act, B.E. 2561 (2018).
Section 5 The borrowed funds under this Royal Decree may only be used for the following purposes:
(1) To assist the public, farmers, and entrepreneurs affected by
the energy crisis situation;
(2) To promote and support efficient energy use, facilitate the transition from fossil fuel dependency to renewable and alternative energy technologies for the government, private sector, communities, and the general public in a timely manner, as well as to develop public skills and innovations related to these matters. Projects or plans using the borrowed funds must comply with those approved by the Cabinet as listed at the end of this Royal Decree.
Section 6 The Cabinet shall approve the borrowing amount as necessary, considering the government's debt repayment capacity. The Cabinet may resolve to adjust the borrowing amount specified in the schedule of this Royal Decree for purposes under Section 5 (1) or (2), provided the total borrowing does not exceed 400 billion baht.
Section 7 To ensure proper consideration and approval of the loan expenditure in accordance with Sections 5 and 6, a Loan Expenditure Screening Committee shall be established, chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, with members including the Secretary-General of the National Economic and Social Development Council, the Director-General of the Budget Bureau, the Comptroller General, the Director-General of the Fiscal Policy Office, and up to three experts appointed by the Minister of Finance. The Director of the Public Debt Management Office shall serve as committee secretary, assisted by representatives from the National Economic and Social Development Council and Fiscal Policy Office. The Public Debt Management Office shall handle the committee’s technical and administrative tasks. Terms of appointment and removal of expert members shall be determined by the Minister of Finance.
Operations under this Royal Decree’s plans or projects shall follow regulations set by the Ministry of Finance with Cabinet approval, conducted with caution, transparency, and accountability.
Section 8 The Loan Expenditure Screening Committee shall have the following duties and powers:
(1) Review and screen loan expenditure plans or projects under this Royal Decree before submission to the Cabinet for approval;
(2) Oversee implementation of the loan-funded plans or projects and report progress to the Cabinet at least quarterly;
(3) Set contingency fund amounts for the plans or projects as specified in the schedule of this Royal Decree, to cover necessary and appropriate project management issues, for Cabinet approval;
(4) Advise the Cabinet regarding decisions under Section 6;
(5) Appoint subcommittees to carry out assigned tasks;
(6) Perform other duties assigned by the Cabinet or the Prime Minister.
Section 9 The Public Debt Management Office shall be responsible for managing the loan, disbursement, debt risk management, project monitoring and evaluation, repayment, and all other matters related to borrowing under this Royal Decree. The Public Debt Management Act shall apply mutatis mutandis, except that references to government agencies shall be interpreted as under the State Fiscal and Financial Discipline Act, unless otherwise stipulated by this Royal Decree.
Section 10 Within 60 days after the end of each fiscal year, the Ministry of Finance shall report to Parliament on borrowings made under this Royal Decree during the previous fiscal year. The report must include details of the borrowings, objectives of loan expenditures, and the outcomes or expected benefits.
Section 11 The Minister of Finance shall be responsible for executing this Royal Decree.
At the end of this Royal Decree, a schedule specifies two main funding plans totaling 400 billion baht: the first is a 200 billion baht plan to assist the public, farmers, and entrepreneurs by alleviating expenses and supporting continuous livelihood activities; the second is a 200 billion baht plan to promote energy efficiency and support the energy transition, covering projects such as fossil fuel reduction, installation of renewable energy power systems to generate carbon credit revenue, promotion of environmentally friendly vehicles and charging stations, and development of public skills and innovations to support the new economy. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul serves as the royal command’s recipient.
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