In the TV program "Creating Opportunities with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin," Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin responded to the recent concerns over the US tariff dispute and the casino topic. She emphasized that the government is committed to "turning crises into opportunities" through policy innovation and inter-departmental coordination to boost confidence among the public and investors. The program was broadcast simultaneously by the national television NBT2HD and the national radio network.
Responding to Natural Disasters: Mechanism Reconstruction, Technological Upgrades
Prime Minister Thavisin reviewed her first experience dealing with a natural disaster on March 28. She was inspecting Phuket Province at the time and immediately directed the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the military, and the Ministry of Interior to initiate emergency evacuation and response. She admitted that Thailand lacks experience in disaster response and must strengthen disaster prevention education and institutional construction.
The next day, she chaired a meeting to discuss reforms to the SMS warning system, criticizing the existing system for being able to send only 1,000 messages at a time and having a delay of up to six hours. The government has now established a unified process, integrated resources, and optimized emergency response plans to ensure a rapid national response mechanism in the future.
Responding to Tariff Dispute: Working Group Has Launched Negotiation Chips
Regarding the US imposing tariffs on certain Thai goods, Prime Minister Thavisin revealed that the government had formed an inter-departmental working group at the end of last year, consisting of legal, economic, and international affairs experts, to comprehensively assess the bilateral trade structure and regulatory impact.
She pointed out that when Thai companies set up canning factories in the US, they face the complete US trade regulatory system directly. The government has the responsibility to protect these enterprises through negotiations, policy support, and facilitation of investments to gain more say.
The government has already started consultations with the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to seek a mutually beneficial trade arrangement. Although some details are not yet public, Thailand has formulated response strategies and is closely monitoring the situation to protect national interests.
Regional Cooperation and Global Connection: ASEAN's Bargaining Power Needs to Be Enhanced
Prime Minister Thavisin stated that Thailand is negotiating with Malaysia, Cambodia, and other ASEAN countries to establish a regional cooperation mechanism. She noted that ASEAN, with a population of 600 million, nearly one-tenth of the global population, is a natural aggregation of resources and manpower. If it can coordinate positions and jointly address international pressures, it will significantly enhance the region's negotiating power in the global trade system.
Response to Gambling Controversy: Integrated Development is Not a "Casino Project"
In response to the controversy over "legalization of casinos," Prime Minister Thavisin clarified that the "entertainment complex project is not a casino project," but a large-scale investment project that includes international conventions, music performances, and hotels. The government will refer to the Singapore experience, emphasizing "responsible gambling," and clearly requiring background checks and criminal record screenings for gamblers. She stressed that the project is entirely funded by private and foreign capital, without using national finances or taxpayer money.
Domestic Policy Implementation: From Rural Autonomy to Educational Equity
In the program, Prime Minister Thavisin also emphasized promoting a "bottom-up" grassroots governance model. The SML Rural Fund project allows villages to decide on development directions through village assemblies, achieving local autonomy. Based on population size, each village can receive a budget ranging from 200,000 to 400,000 Thai baht to independently purchase agricultural equipment or promote community projects.
At the same time, the "ODOS Youth Horizon Expansion Project" has also received a funding of 5.3 billion Thai baht, focusing on supporting non-top students to have opportunities for international exchanges. The government urges students to register through the Tang Rath app to promote educational equity and social mobility.
International Confidence Remains: Thai Economic Potential is Optimistic
Despite Moody's recent cautious economic outlook, Prime Minister Thavisin pointed out that this does not indicate a downgrade of Thailand's credit rating. The government has incorporated the assessment recommendations into policy adjustments. Additionally, continued foreign investment in key areas such as semiconductors also shows that international capital remains optimistic about Thailand's medium and long-term development.
At the end of the program, Prime Minister Thavisin stated that she will continue to use this program platform to regularly inform the public about policy progress and new beneficial measures, strengthening the communication bridge between the government and the public.
