Prime Minister Anutin held a roundtable discussion with leading national CEOs, with the tycoons from CP Group and Sahapat Group seated directly at his left and right. He emphasized that the government and private sector must move forward together in the same direction, aiming to remove business restrictions and increase employment.
At 5:00 p.m. on 15 May 2026 at the Government House, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul chaired a meeting between the government and private sector. The discussion focused on strategies to develop the country's economic competitiveness, involving business leaders and major industrial groups. The atmosphere was cordial, with warm greetings before the meeting started. The Prime Minister sat at the head of the table, flanked by 35 senior executives from 10 key industrial groups, including Dhanin Chearavanont, Senior Chairman of Charoen Pokphand Group (seated to the Prime Minister's right).
Pakphon Ngamlak, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of Charoen Pokphand Group; Suphachai Chearavanont, Chief Executive Officer of Charoen Pokphand Group (seated to the Prime Minister's left); Vejj Chokwatana, Managing Director of Sahapat Group Public Company Limited; Sarath Ratanavadi, Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Development Public Company Limited; Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, executive of King Power Corporation Limited; Supalak Ampuch, Chairwoman of The Mall Group; executives from Thai Beverage Public Company Limited; Tos Chirathivat, Chief Executive of Central Group; representatives from the Thai Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Thai Industries, Thai Bankers' Association, and the Thai SME Confederation also attended.
Also present were cabinet members including Deputy Prime Ministers Pipat Ratchakitprakarn (also Minister of Transport), Akniti Nitithanprapas (Minister of Finance), Sihasak Puwakhetkaew (Minister of Foreign Affairs), Pakorn Nilprapunt, Yotsanan Wongsawat (Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation), Supamas Isarapakdi (Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office), Naphin Sriprapang (Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office), Chaiyachon Chidchob (Minister of Digital Economy and Society), Suriya Jungrungreangkit (Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives), Aknat Phromphan (Minister of Energy), Lt. Gen. Adun Boonthamcharoen (Minister of Defence), Sanphet Boonyamanee (Deputy Minister of Transport), Prasert Chanruangrongthong (Minister of Education), Pol. Lt. Gen. Ruthapon Naowarat (Minister of Justice), Warawut Silpa-archa (Minister of Industry), Nan Boonthida Somchai (Deputy Minister of Digital Economy and Society), as well as relevant permanent secretaries and heads of agencies.
The Prime Minister said, “Today, I would like to warmly welcome all private sector entrepreneurs who have honored the government with their presence. The theme is ‘Entrepreneurs Speak, Government Listens.’ After I finish speaking, the floor is yours. We will listen attentively and then compile the points to ensure we meet the entrepreneurs’ objectives. This government is committed to driving the country’s economy together with the private sector—going it alone will not achieve our goals. Our aim today is to gather your opinions to help us promote and support entrepreneurs to compete fully in a rapidly changing world, whether in international finance, technology, or environmental issues, all of which affect Thailand’s economic growth. Our government prioritizes reducing obstacles and enhancing the private sector’s capacity, addressing regulatory issues, redundant approval processes which increase business costs, labor shortages, and skills mismatches with modern industry demands, as well as opening doors to green industries playing an increasingly important role in the global economy.”
The Prime Minister continued, “In this meeting, there is no head of the table; everyone is considered equal. I have also included several ministers sitting among you. Last week, at the ASEAN meeting in the Philippines, I proposed emphasizing ASEAN’s power grid, cooperation in clean energy, and food security. ASEAN must speak with a unified voice to build resilience and stronger negotiation mechanisms, elevating our geopolitical significance. All countries coincidentally focused on these three issues, which Thailand is well-positioned to lead. This presents us with great opportunities to strengthen Thailand’s economic security. But as I have said, government and private sector must move together. Our government is ready to facilitate all necessary measures. We do not cling to old contexts, laws, or procedures. Justice must allow you opportunities to operate businesses and employ workers to build national capacity. Thailand cannot progress strongly without you. This is why I have consulted with deputy prime ministers, ministers, and related agencies such as the National Economic and Social Development Council and the Board of Investment to organize today’s meeting—to hear from you and apply your expectations and needs to help you reach your goals. When you succeed, Thailand succeeds; everyone wins. That is today’s purpose.”
“I encourage you to discuss openly in this forum, and if you wish to continue, we will have dinner together tonight. I would like to invite the government to host and be the host for a dinner with leading businesspeople and entrepreneurs, to use all insights and information you provide to benefit Thailand as much as possible,” the Prime Minister said.
A reporter noted that later at 5:00 p.m., after the 35 senior executives from 10 private business groups gathered, the Prime Minister and the cabinet ministers would begin listening and exchanging views before concluding the government-private sector discussion.
At 6:00 p.m., it was reported that the Prime Minister would invite all private guests to join a group photo inside the Thai Khu Fah building.
Following that, the Prime Minister would host a dinner at 7:00 p.m. at the Santi Maitri Building (Rear Wing), concluding with remarks thanking all executives for their attendance today.
Before the meeting, Prime Minister Anutin spoke about hosting the event “Entrepreneurs Speak, Government Listens,” inviting over 34 senior executives and representatives from 10 key industry groups to provide input to the government. He said the main theme was to give entrepreneurs the opportunity to express opinions and offer recommendations to the government, which is ready to listen and consider proposals and various approaches to facilitate business operations to the greatest extent possible, ultimately benefiting both the people and the nation.
Regarding how the government would build on the entrepreneurs’ input, the Prime Minister stated that the government wants to hear the business sector’s situation, expectations, and proposals for government support to help expand operations, generate national income, increase employment, and create economic wealth.
The Prime Minister added that he has instructed government agencies that under his administration, all sectors must work together to drive the economy. The government plays a key role in supporting the private sector. Therefore, policies developed without consulting entrepreneurs may not align with actual needs. He invited entrepreneurs, many of whom already collaborate, to speak openly because the government’s duty is to do everything possible to ensure the economic system is strong, capable of sustainable growth, and has a promising future.
