Nov 7, 2018

Thailand to produce Cannabis oil from 2019

The Government Pharmaceutical Board allocated a budget of 120 million Baht for development of Cannabis varieties, plantation, and pilot-scale production facility of Cannabis oil starting 2019 (B.E. 2562). The plantation will be in Chonburi, with an area of 1,500 Rais. (1 Rai = 1,600 sq. meter) The processing plant would be in Pathum Thani.

Ref: Thai news from Manager Online

Oct 13, 2018

Thailand's 20 year strategic plan enacted

Today, October 13, 2018, the Royal Gazette published the announcement of Thailand's 20-year strategic plan for national development.

News source: Thai Post
Announcement in PDF

addendum: my translation of the related news.

On October 14, 2018, spokesman of the office of the Prime Minister said, the Prime Minister said as follows on the 20 years National Strategy (2018-2037, B.E. 2561-2580),  as it was announced in the Royal Gazette yesterday, is the first one of Thailand. Everyone must bring it into practice according to the vision of stability, wealth, sustainability, so that (Thailand) becomes a developed country on the basis of self-sufficient philosophy (of the late King Rama IX). 

The PM urged the media and every citizen to study and understand the plan, as well as the linked national reformation plan. The 5 year period from now is considered the most crucial. The present government has its duty to follow the framework, although (implementation details) be adjustable to suit (changing) situations. The present government has no intention to continue its power (via the plan.)

The (enacted) national strategy would serve as the master (development) plan for various ministries, in order to have clear directions, to have suitable budgets, with assessment report to come through the government to the national strategy commission, and to the country reformation commission. Any potential problems to be solved (for the country) must respond to (the issue on) sustainability of the country.

Benefits to the people are that every Thai citizen would be developed on every side, in every age group, (to ensure that they) have virtue, are skillful, are of high quality, have equality, and participate with the government sector. Meanwhile, the private sector could also use the plan as a guide to conduct their businesses.

PM emphasized that Thailand must escape from the so-called middle-income trap, and every facet of development must be balanced.  The 6 sides of development strategy are:- security, competitiveness, development, and promotion of human resources, the creation of more opportunities and social equality, the creation of growth on life quality which is environmentally friendly, and adjustment of balance and develop service management of the government sector.


News source in Thai: Manager


Feb 14, 2018

Plan for extension of high-speed train linking 3 Bangkok airports to eastern provinces

Bangkok (Feb 1, 2018): Acting governor of State Railways of Thailand revealed that SRT was given a 200 million Baht from the government's central budget  to study on extension of the high-speed train linking the 3 airports serving Bangkok, namely:- Don Meuang, Suwannabhumi, and Utapao, to the eastern provinces of Chanthaburi and Trad. The study will be conducted in parallel to the study of a track project extension. The study will take about 18 months.

Ref: Thai post

Oct 2, 2017

Thailand government's fiscal year 2018 budget enacted

October 2, 2017. Bangkok, Thailand.
The Royal Gazette (Ratchakitcha Nubeksa gazette) has published the Year B.E. 2561 (2018) Budget Act, after H.M. the King of Thailand has signed into law, after the recommendation of the National Legislative Council serving as the Parliament. The 2018 budget for the Royal government of Thailand will be 2.9 trillion Baht. The central fund’s budget would be 97.423 billion Baht.

Jul 10, 2016

Single-person company formation will be allowed in Thailand

Thailand Ministry of Commerce is about to submit a draft act on establishment of single-person company to the Thai cabinet for consideration.
After the cabinet approves, the draft act would go to the Council of State (Krisdika commission), and then to the parliament. It is expected to become law before the end of this year, 2016.
This is aimed to facilitate easier establishment of new SME and help them access to funds. Only
Thai nationals will be allowed to file for setting up single-person companies and measures will be set up to prevent against nominees of foreigners. The Ministry hope to double the number of registered companies to 1.2 million within 2 years after the law is passed.

There are 12 other countries which allow formations of single-person companies.

Ref: Manager (in Thai)

Apr 23, 2016

Secure chat system launched by Thailand government

Bangkok, April 22, 2016

Thailand's Prime Minister just said that a new system for LINE-like application, but with high security,  has been set up for government use. The so called G-Chat system would be useful for integrated collaborative works among government agencies. He said users can set up private conversations, or group conversations, vdo conference calls, as well as sharing of location. Thailand's Electronic Government Agency (EGA) has already launched the service.

Ref: Matichon (Thai language)

Dec 23, 2015

Thailand to put 3.755 Billion Bahts for digital economy drive

Thai cabinet authorized 3.755 Billion Baht budgets for digital economy drive projects as proposed by ICT Ministry.

6 facet of the objectives are
    ⁃    promote use of digital technology in SMEs, in e-tourism cluster and new start-ups
    ⁃    support quality society for the people to use digital technology wisely and responsibility, toward digital society, and access to media and knowledge and government's e-services
    ⁃    develop e-services for digital government, transforming work flow into digital one, facilitate government service by reducing steps, making the process quickly, transparent, availability for auditing.
    ⁃    develop  computer and network infrastructure to be updated, stable, can respond to crisis situations, and support integrated-service in the future, expanding broad-band links to serve needs in suitable (affordable) price.
    ⁃    develop cities / areas to bring digital technology to apply in improving quality of life for the people, and socioeconomic aspects (smart city)
    ⁃    develop human resource for digital world (digital age workforce).

Examples of projects are
    Project to develop community digital network
    Project to develop basic computer and network infrastructure
    Project to build quality society with digital technology
    Project to promote use of digital technology in SMEs
    Project to develop digital service in government
    Project to develop human resources for digital work
    Project to develop smart city
    Project to support management of projects to drive digital socioeconomy.

Translated from Blognone