Bangkok: The Cabinet has approved a proposal from the Ministry of Finance to secure a loan of 18 billion baht for the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). This decision aims to address liquidity issues faced by the SRT and facilitate the maintenance of its track system, locomotives, and rolling stock as part of the 2026 budget.
According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister’s Office spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat announced that Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanpraphat has been tasked with overseeing the private sector’s bidding process. This initiative seeks to manage potential assets in various locations, thereby creating added value for the SRT.
Additionally, the Cabinet has approved the Ministry of Commerce’s proposal to enter a five-year agreement with Singapore. This agreement involves the purchase of 100,000 tons of rice from Thailand, coinciding with the Prime Minister’s official visit to Singapore scheduled for November 7, 2025.
Mr. Siripong further mentioned that the Cabinet has revised the objectives of a previous resolution from January 7, 2015, concerning the Government Lottery Office’s charity lottery. The remaining budget, amounting to 4.691 billion baht, will not only be used for awarding prizes but also to support education, public health, and the arts in a broader capacity.