BANGKOK: Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has instructed officials to advance tariff negotiations after receiving a letter from US President Donald Trump expressing hope that an agreement with Thailand can be signed soon, government spokesman Ekkapop Pianpises said on Tuesday (Oct 6).
Speaking at Government House after the Cabinet meeting, Ekkapop said Anutin had briefed ministers on the letter and assigned Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun to continue the Thailand–US tariff negotiations and prepare for signing.
Trump hopes for signing during Asia visit
Trump wanted negotiations completed so that an agreement could be signed soon, if possible during his visit to Asia, Ekkapop said. The negotiations were now in their final stage.
According to the spokesman, Anutin and Trump were expected to meet at either the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit, hosted by the Philippines on November 16–18, 2026, or the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting, hosted by China on November 18–19.
Cabinet approves new budget consultation process
Cabinet also approved the Bureau of the Budget’s proposed timetable for preparing the fiscal 2028 expenditure budget, introducing a new pre-budget consultation stage in late October.
The process will bring together the government, coalition parties, opposition parties, relevant agencies, the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking, institutions, academics and members of the public to help determine the budget’s direction.
“This represents a major change in Thailand’s budgeting system, opening the way for all sectors to contribute their views from the outset, instead of government agencies preparing budget requests on their own,” Ekkapop said.
“The timetable also gives budget-receiving agencies about two to three additional months to prepare their lists of budget items. This allows for more detail and more information to support decisions, while linking information across ministries to reduce duplication.”
Government aims for zero-based budgeting in 2028
The revised process is intended to support zero-based budgeting for fiscal 2028, under which spending proposals would be developed from the ground up according to planned activities, rather than using the previous year’s allocations as the starting point.
The government also aims to disclose both revenue and expenditure information and allow public participation at every stage.
The main budget priorities are to advance policies addressing people’s problems, restructure the economy and society, and continue strengthening public finances.
Spending plans will be aligned with the national strategy and the 14th National Economic and Social Development Plan. Priorities include cushioning the effects of economic volatility, strengthening food security and supporting the transition to bioenergy and green energy.
The government will also focus on reducing inequality and developing infrastructure to improve people’s quality of life.
Budget decisions will reflect the importance and urgency of proposed spending. Projects that are no longer necessary or have lower priority will be reviewed for postponement, reductions or cancellation, with the aim of ensuring value for money, economy, efficiency, effectiveness and fairness. - The Nation/ANN
