Bangkok: The Prime Minister discussed the 2017 budget, emphasizing that government spending must be efficient. Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul chaired a meeting to consider the budget for fiscal year 2027. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Ekniti Nitithanpraphas, along with Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office Paradorn Prisananantakul, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance Lawaron Sangsanit, and relevant agencies were also in attendance.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Anutin opened the meeting by stating that today’s meeting will consider the 2027 budget expenditures, in accordance with Section 24 of the 2018 Budget Procedures Act. This will determine the annual budget policy, revenue estimates, expenditure limits, and methods for offsetting the budget deficit, as well as the budget structure, including the budget framework for revenue and expenditure, and the fiscal position for at least three years in advance.
Mr. Anutin added that the budget allocation review will enable the government to implement key policies to address public concerns, maintain fiscal discipline, maintain national economic stability, and strengthen fiscal resources. This will focus on ensuring efficient, cost-effective government spending and aligning with public needs.
Reporters noted that the 2027 budget framework under consideration today follows the Cabinet’s approval of the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework for 2026-2030. The budget is 3.788 trillion baht, a 0.2% increase from the 2026 budget. This represents a budget deficit of 788 billion baht, with estimated government revenue collection of 3 trillion baht. The public debt at the end of the fiscal year was 13.79 trillion baht, representing 69.36% of GDP.