Bangkok: The Prime Minister led a crucial Cabinet meeting to deliberate on a proposed spending plan amounting to 157 billion baht. Prior to the meeting, the Prime Minister visited an exhibition showcasing military equipment intended for disaster relief and public assistance. This visit underlined the importance of having these resources ready for deployment. In addition, the Prime Minister is preparing to set a minimum wage for 13 specified occupations, ranging from 600 to 800 baht per day. The Ministry of Agriculture also put forward proposals to stabilize paddy rice prices and support farmer welfare.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, the Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet meeting. Before the session commenced, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Mr. Phumtham Vejjayachai, introduced the exhibition titled ‘Disaster Relief and Assistance of the Ministry of Defense.’ This exhibition featured military equipment, technology, and research aimed at aiding disaster relief and national development.
During the exhibition, the Prime Minister was briefed on the functions of various technologies, including vital signs detectors and search and rescue robots equipped with cameras to locate victims under debris. The Prime Minister emphasized the need for these technologies and the personnel operating them to be ready for immediate use. Additionally, the exhibition included a K9 rescue dog unit, with the Prime Minister engaging with the dogs and posing for a photo with the executives present.
The Cabinet meeting saw the absence of three ministers who had requested leave: Ms. Supamas Isaraphakdi, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation; Ms. Sabida Thaiset, Deputy Minister of Interior; and Ms. Thirat Samretwanich, Deputy Minister of Interior.
Key agenda items for the Cabinet’s consideration included the Ministry of Finance’s proposed economic driving plan under the 157 billion baht budget framework and the Budget Bureau’s draft of the 2026 fiscal budget bill. The Ministry of Transport also proposed a draft of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand Act to support a 20-baht flat-rate electric train policy.
The Office of the Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister proposed a project to allow various categories of government employees to take leave for ordination as monks and nuns in honor of the King’s birthday on July 28, 2025, without this being considered a leave day.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives presented a draft policy to maintain the stability of paddy prices through community paddy centers and sought a review of a previous Cabinet resolution regarding the Farmer Welfare Fund.
The Ministry of Labor proposed setting wage rates according to skill standards for 13 fields, which would take effect 90 days after announcement in the Government Gazette. Additionally, the Ministry proposed draft regulations to exempt application fees for certain employment categories.
Finally, the Office of National Water Resources proposed measures to enhance water resource management during the rainy and dry seasons in 2025 and 2026.