Some conservationists and MPs joining the policy statement debate on Monday and Tuesday said the government has failed to address transboundary pollution as part of its urgent policies, while being opaque about the development of some mega projects, including the controversial Land Bridge project in the Upper South
The newly appointed PM, Anutin Charnvirakul, addressed new government policies to the Parliament during the opening of the two-day policy statement debate on Monday before officially running the country. A new government will take office when it has sworn an oath, and it can then run the country after it has declared its policy statement to Parliament within 15 days. The Anutin government was sworn in on September 24, before addressing the policy statement on Monday and Tuesday.
Before taking the office, his party had managed to form a new coalition government, in competition with the government ruling party of Pheu Thai, with the backing of the strongest opposition party, the People’s Party. They had agreed on the conditions under the so-called Memorandum of Agreement, which would allow the new government to run the country for only four months to address the most urgent issues, including the border dispute with Cambodia, before dissolving the House to pave the way for a constitutional referendum and a new election. (Also read: New PM voted amid deep challenges ahead)
Most of the new government’s agendas are aimed at addressing these issues, and natural disaster mitigation and environmental protection are among the five prime policies that this government will pursue over the next four months.
According to Mr. Anutin, his government will expedite the deployment of early warning systems and the development of a disaster warning network, particularly in high-risk areas. It will also provide urgent relief and rehabilitation to disaster-affected people by passing on government information to relevant agencies for serious implementation in the disaster-affected areas.
Besides, it will pursue conservation, restoration and sustainable preservation of existing natural resources, while promoting proper use of forest areas and community forests. The Anutin government will also implement systematic water resource management to build resilience against climate change.
On climate, the Anutin government vowed to pursue low low-carbon society, and it will address the long-term national plan to move toward net zero by 2050 by promoting clean energy. Mr. Anutin said his government will push more use of solar energy in communities and government agencies, the use of electric vehicles and public transport, and increasing energy efficiency, especially in the industrial sector.
His government will also reduce carbon and PM2.5 pollution by developing and upgrading farming among a new generation of farmers to be more environmentally friendly, focusing on preventing and reducing burning in the farming sector. Last but not least, it will establish a carbon credit trading market that meets international standards and push for important environmental laws to come into effect quickly, such as the draft Climate Change Act B.E.
The Anutin government did not directly address the development of mega-projects, but it vowed to pursue state duties, state policies, and national strategies as addressed under the Constitution. Among those, it will push for the development of public infrastructure while promoting more public participation. Conservationists are concerned that the new government will pursue the controversial mega-projects like the Land Bridge project in the Upper South.
Meanwhile, the government also failed to address the transboundary pollution in the Upper North’s rivers like the ongoing toxic contamination of heavy metals in the Kok and Sai rivers from mining in Myanmar.
Other prime policies addressed to the Parliament included:
- Economic policies: Generate income and reduce expenses for the people in their daily lives; resolve debt problems and increase liquidity based on a fair share of risk between financial institutions and debtors; increase savings opportunities for the public; restore confidence among tourists by focusing on enhancing safety and convenience, suppressing fraud and deception against tourists, and implementing additional measures to stimulate domestic tourism during the rest of 2025; accelerate resolutions to the trade war impacts by establishing Team Thailand to supervise and provide support to entrepreneurs; and promote modernized investment environment conducive to both current and future competition
- Security policies: Solve the Thailand-Cambodia situation by peaceful means, and pursue a proactive foreign policy that is responsive to global changes, while simultaneously reinforcing Thailand’s confidence and status on the international stage; and solve the Southern Border problems in parallel with promoting economic development and sustainable improvement of quality of life for the local people
- Social policies: Suppress all forms of illegal gambling; strictly uphold the Rule of Law; eliminate corruption and graft; protect and safeguard Buddhism and other religions
- Public Sector Administration and Legal Reform: Accelerate the development of Digital Government and relevant legislation to upgrade and modernise public administration; and promote reform of laws and regulations
The new government stressed its work and policies to be pursued on three main principles, which are protecting and upholding the Nation, Religion, and Monarchy; upholding democracy with the King as Head of State; and adhering to the Rule of Law, fair enforcement of legislation, and good governance for people’s interests.
“The government commits to urgently addressing the country’s challenges, while simultaneously laying the foundation for the nation and driving sustainable development to enhance national competitiveness and build stability.
“It will also hold a referendum to encourage public participation in the drafting of the new constitution,” Mr. Anutin declared in the Parliament.
Also read: The full policy statement of the Anutin government
Indie • in-depth online news agency
to “bridge the gap” and “connect the dots” with critical and constructive minds on development and environmental policies in Thailand and the Mekong region; to deliver meaningful messages and create the big picture critical to public understanding and decision-making, thus truly being the public’s critical voice