The Cabinet advances projects for the five southern border provinces into practical plans, swiftly addressing flooding, repairing roads, constructing hospitals, and supporting businesses, moving forward with 44 urgent projects totaling 1.269 billion baht. Tags: [Cabinet, Southern Border Provinces, Infrastructure, Flood Relief, Healthcare, Economic Support]
On 1 Sep 2026 GMT+7, Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that the Cabinet acknowledged the results of a workshop held in the five southern provinces (Songkhla, Satun, Yala, Narathiwat, and Pattani), as proposed by the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC). Tags: [Cabinet, Workshop, Southern Provinces, NESDC, Government Meeting]
The Cabinet assigned related agencies to consider project proposals for the five southern border provinces to incorporate them into their annual operational plans and to request budget allocations through the appropriate procedures as follows: Tags: [Government Agencies, Project Planning, Budget Allocation, Southern Border Provinces]
1. Urgent projects ready for immediate implementation: a total of 44 projects with a budget of 1,269.02 million baht. Tags: [Urgent Projects, Budget, Immediate Action]
2. Policy proposals for the area requiring government support: a total of 59 projects with a budget of 62,336.44 million baht. Tags: [Policy Proposals, Government Support, Budget]
Additionally, the Cabinet approved in principle urgent measures that are ready for quick implementation (Quick wins) and long-term proposals in four key areas: Tags: [Cabinet Approval, Quick Wins, Long-term Plans, Strategic Areas]
1. Economic aspects, such as improving Soft Loan conditions, reducing procedures at immigration and customs checkpoints, developing online systems, and establishing One Stop Service centers for business operations. Tags: [Economy, Soft Loan, Border Procedures, Online Systems, Business Facilitation]
2. Social aspects, including designing the second Hat Yai hospital and signing a Memorandum of Understanding on labor cooperation between Thailand and Malaysia. Tags: [Social Development, Healthcare, Labor Cooperation, Thailand-Malaysia]
3. Security aspects, such as upgrading the Village Defense Volunteers (Chor Ror Bor) to a safety network and installing comprehensive CCTV coverage. Tags: [Security, Community Safety, Surveillance]
4. Disaster management, including enhancing drainage systems, building a disaster shelter in Pattani province, and accelerating the restoration of damaged roads. Tags: [Disaster Management, Drainage, Shelters, Infrastructure Repair]
Ms. Ratchada further stated that the Cabinet assigned related agencies to expedite solutions to problems in the five provinces for tangible results. For projects recommended for central budget allocation under the Emergency or Necessary Reserve Fund totaling 67 million baht, the details are as follows: Tags: [Budget Allocation, Emergency Fund, Project Implementation]
1. Project to enhance drainage system efficiency (Hat Yai Municipality) with a budget of 25.90 million baht. Tags: [Drainage, Hat Yai, Infrastructure]
2. Project to enhance disaster prevention and mitigation efficiency (Khuan Lang Municipality) with a budget of 21.10 million baht. Tags: [Disaster Prevention, Khuan Lang, Local Government]
3. Construction of a temporary shelter building for disaster victims in Pattani province with a budget of 20 million baht. Tags: [Disaster Shelter, Pattani, Construction]
Reviewing urgent budget requests. Tags: [Budget Review, Urgent Funding]
Additionally, agencies were assigned to promptly consider requesting budget allocations, including: Tags: [Budget Requests, Government Agencies]
1. Ministry of Transport: dredging the channels of Songkhla and Pattani ports to depths of about 9 to 10 meters to accommodate large cargo ships and improve water drainage in the area, with the Budget Bureau to identify appropriate funding sources. Tags: [Ministry of Transport, Port Dredging, Songkhla, Pattani, Infrastructure]
2. Ministry of Public Health: accelerating the design and construction of the second Hat Yai hospital with a budget of 250 million baht by adjusting operational and budget plans. If insufficient, a proposal to use the central budget will follow according to regulations. Tags: [Public Health, Hospital Construction, Hat Yai, Budget Planning]
3. Projects under the Department of Highways’ restoration plan totaling 45 projects with a budget framework of 835.8 million baht to urgently repair roads and infrastructure damaged by disasters since 2025. The Ministry of Transport will consider readiness and suitability for inclusion in annual operational plans and budget requests through proper procedures. Tags: [Highway Restoration, Disaster Damage, Road Repairs, Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure]