ส.อ.ท. ร่วมประชุม ก.น.บ. ครั้งที่ 2/2568 เห็นชอบตั้งอนุกรรมการ 2 คณะ ทบทวนกรอบจัดทำแผน-งบประมาณ ปี 2570FTI Participates in G.N.B. Meeting No. 2/2025, Approves Establishment of Two Subcommittees to Review the Framework for Developing Plans and Budgets for 2027

On August 19, 2025, Mr. Apichit Prasoprat, Vice President of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), participated in the second meeting of the Committee on Integrated Area Management Policies (G.N.B.) for the year 2025 at the Pakdibodin Building, Government House, chaired by Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, acting as the Prime Minister, along with distinguished committee members from the government, private sector, and civil society. The meeting was also attended by Mr. Danucha Pichayanan, Secretary-General of the National Economic and Social Development Council, serving as the committee member and secretary.

The chairperson stated that this meeting was the second of the year 2025, aimed at driving the missions according to the Royal Decree on Integrated Area Management enacted in 2022 to achieve tangible results. The key agenda items include 2 matters:
1. The appointment of permanent subcommittees for the Northeastern and Central regions under the G.N.B. mechanism.
2. The review of the timeline for the development of plans and budgets for the fiscal year 2027 for provinces and groups of provinces.

Mr. Jirayu Huangsap, spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office, summarized the resolutions from the meeting as follows:
1. The appointment of regional subcommittees:
For the Northeastern region: A total of 16 members, chaired by Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister, with a representative from the National Economic and Social Development Council as the subcommittee member and secretary, and a representative from the Ministry of the Interior as a subcommittee member and assistant secretary.
For the Central region: A total of 14 members, chaired by Mr. Prasert Chanthararuangthong, Deputy Prime Minister, with a representative from the National Economic and Social Development Council as the subcommittee member and secretary, and a representative from the Ministry of the Interior as a subcommittee member and assistant secretary.

The meeting assigned the secretariat to prepare the appointment orders for submission to the Prime Minister, in his capacity as the chairperson of the G.N.B., for consideration and approval, and to circulate the appointments to both subcommittees for acknowledgment.

2. Review of the timeline for developing plans and budgets for 2027:
Provinces and groups of provinces are required to submit the revised development plans (2023–2027) and the annual operational plans for the fiscal year 2027 by September 30, 2025 (previously July 31, 2025).

This extension is necessitated because several provinces have experienced disasters and unrest along the borders, which has delayed the planning process. The Prime Minister has assigned the secretariat to adjust the timeline to be consistent with relevant laws and regulations.

The meeting directed the secretariat to notify the provinces and related agencies while emphasizing the development of projects that create employment and promote the grassroots economy. The central integration team will streamline the plans to complete by October 2025 (moved from August-September) before presenting them to the regional subcommittees and the G.N.B. for consideration.

3. Monitoring compliance with the plans for 2025:
The meeting acknowledged the results of the evaluation of the compliance of projects under the annual operational plans for provinces and groups of provinces for 2025, and found that all proposals from the government agencies align with the goals and development guidelines for the region (2023–2027) and the draft annual budget expenditure act for 2025 as per the Cabinet resolution on May 20, 2025.

Mr. Apichit suggested that consideration be given to increasing private sector representation in the regional subcommittees, as the private sector has direct experience with areas and understands the problems and needs of the citizens comprehensively, which will enhance collaboration with the government in terms of projects and beneficial recommendations for overall area development.