Bangkok: The Prime Minister has called upon all ministries to speed up the disbursement of investment budgets after identifying that they have fallen short of the established target. This directive was issued during a meeting with the heads of government agencies at the ministry level or equivalent, marking the second such gathering in 2025. The Prime Minister emphasized the use of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to assess the performance of directors-general and agency heads, while also instructing them to proactively plan for natural disasters such as floods, droughts, and smog to minimize impacts on the public and the relief budget.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, the Prime Minister, led the 2nd/2025 meeting at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. During the session, she highlighted that the 2025 investment budget of 1.46 trillion baht, aimed at driving a 3% increase in GDP, includes a backlog of 275,009 million baht, an investment budget of 932,402 million baht, and a state enterprise investment budget of 253,545 million baht. However, the overall disbursement stands at only 28.12%, which is half of the target. The Prime Minister called on the heads of government agencies to use disbursement results as a KPI to evaluate their leaders’ performance, particularly in ministries like Transport, Interior, and Agriculture and Cooperatives, which have received the largest allocations.
The Prime Minister further stressed the need for proactive measures against flooding, drought, smog, flash floods, and mudslides for the upcoming year. She urged preparations in advance to lessen the damage and associated costs, advocating for long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes. Despite the availability of funds for compensation and repairs, she emphasized the importance of reducing the frequency and impact of such events on the public.
Additionally, the Prime Minister inquired about long-term water management strategies, covering areas like tap water, groundwater, and water for industrial and agricultural use. She underscored the importance of effective water management, particularly for farmers who are significantly affected. The Prime Minister encouraged full cooperation among all parties and invited anyone in need of support to reach out for direct and swift problem-solving.
