Thailand's New Government Policy Platform Criticized by Academia and Industry
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced the new government's policy platform, aiming for internal stability, enhanced economic competitiveness, and international trust. However, academics and industry leaders express skepticism, criticizing the policies as vague and lacking concrete action, especially amidst the global energy crisis exacerbated by the Middle East conflict. Economist Anusorn Thammajai highlighted that high oil prices are slowing public and private construction projects and urged focus on the construction sector and anti-corruption efforts. The Federation of Thai Industries called for policy adjustments to address soaring oil prices and raw material shortages. Chookiat Ophaswongse, Honorary President of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, questioned the effective implementation of the policies. Political scientist Yutthaporn Issarachai criticized the new cabinet's similarity to the previous one, doubting its ability to tackle new challenges. International trade expert Aat Pisanwanich emphasized the need for clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in government policies.
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- 📰 Published: April 13, 2026 at 16:41
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Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul recently unveiled the new government's policy platform, pledging to foster internal stability, strengthen economic competitiveness, and build international trust. However, the platform has drawn criticism from both academic and industrial sectors, who question its feasibility and lack of concrete measures, particularly in light of new challenges such as the global energy crisis stemming from the Middle East conflict.
Anutin, serving his second term, stated in his parliamentary address that the government would transform global crises into economic development opportunities, promote economic structural transformation, and enhance Thailand's international image and trust. Regarding the energy crisis caused by the Middle East conflict, he proposed measures such as managing fuel and energy prices and increasing the use of biofuels.
Despite these assurances, the policy platform has been widely criticized by academics and industry leaders.
According to a Bangkok Post report today, economist Anusorn Thammajai pointed out that rising oil prices have led to a slowdown in public and private construction projects, with many contractors abandoning work due to increased energy and material costs. He argued that Anutin's second term must pay greater attention to the construction industry, given its close ties to many sectors and its significant role in job creation.
As a People's Party Member of Parliament, Anusorn urged the new government to address corruption, identifying it as a 'hidden cost' that has impacted the Thai economy for decades. He told the Bangkok Post that the government should not solely focus on policies addressing oil price fluctuations, public debt, and the plight of SMEs, emphasizing that anti-corruption must be a priority.
Furthermore, the industrial sector also questioned the new government's policy direction, stressing the urgent need to implement measures to counter the surge in fuel prices.
The Federation of Thai Industries stated that the ongoing Middle East conflict has severe repercussions, including soaring oil prices and raw material shortages, and believes the government needs to adapt its policies to the current situation.
Chookiat Ophaswongse, Honorary President of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, acknowledged that the government's policy platform covers all areas but expressed doubts about the effective implementation of these policies.
He remarked, 'These policies are similar to those proposed by the previous government. We don't know if, or how, the current government can translate these policies into tangible results.'
Additionally, some scholars criticized the new Thai cabinet members for being largely the same as the previous administration. Political scientist Yutthaporn Issarachai from Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University told Thai PBS that with the new cabinet members largely unchanged, he questioned the new government's ability to cope with emerging challenges. 'Thailand is facing the impact of rising fuel prices due to the Middle East conflict, yet the new cabinet members remain unchanged,' he stated.
International trade expert Aat Pisanwanich told the Bangkok Post that government policies must have clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), not just inspiring rhetoric. He warned that if the government fails to define clear KPIs in its policies, the nation will stagnate and fail to develop.
Anutin, serving his second term, stated in his parliamentary address that the government would transform global crises into economic development opportunities, promote economic structural transformation, and enhance Thailand's international image and trust. Regarding the energy crisis caused by the Middle East conflict, he proposed measures such as managing fuel and energy prices and increasing the use of biofuels.
Despite these assurances, the policy platform has been widely criticized by academics and industry leaders.
According to a Bangkok Post report today, economist Anusorn Thammajai pointed out that rising oil prices have led to a slowdown in public and private construction projects, with many contractors abandoning work due to increased energy and material costs. He argued that Anutin's second term must pay greater attention to the construction industry, given its close ties to many sectors and its significant role in job creation.
As a People's Party Member of Parliament, Anusorn urged the new government to address corruption, identifying it as a 'hidden cost' that has impacted the Thai economy for decades. He told the Bangkok Post that the government should not solely focus on policies addressing oil price fluctuations, public debt, and the plight of SMEs, emphasizing that anti-corruption must be a priority.
Furthermore, the industrial sector also questioned the new government's policy direction, stressing the urgent need to implement measures to counter the surge in fuel prices.
The Federation of Thai Industries stated that the ongoing Middle East conflict has severe repercussions, including soaring oil prices and raw material shortages, and believes the government needs to adapt its policies to the current situation.
Chookiat Ophaswongse, Honorary President of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, acknowledged that the government's policy platform covers all areas but expressed doubts about the effective implementation of these policies.
He remarked, 'These policies are similar to those proposed by the previous government. We don't know if, or how, the current government can translate these policies into tangible results.'
Additionally, some scholars criticized the new Thai cabinet members for being largely the same as the previous administration. Political scientist Yutthaporn Issarachai from Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University told Thai PBS that with the new cabinet members largely unchanged, he questioned the new government's ability to cope with emerging challenges. 'Thailand is facing the impact of rising fuel prices due to the Middle East conflict, yet the new cabinet members remain unchanged,' he stated.
International trade expert Aat Pisanwanich told the Bangkok Post that government policies must have clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), not just inspiring rhetoric. He warned that if the government fails to define clear KPIs in its policies, the nation will stagnate and fail to develop.