Govt Loans Should Boost Thai Products for Domestic Circulation, Suggests Private Sector

MGR Online•Economy•1d ago

Reader Briefing

The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) advises the government to leverage loan funds to stimulate domestic spending on Thai products and promote economic restructuring.

•The FTI proposes using loan money to boost the purchase of Thai goods to ensure capital circulates within the country.
•A survey of industry executives reveals a preference for the 'Thai Helps Thai Plus' project, with added conditions supporting Thai products.
•The FTI also recommends integrating participating shops into the tax system to expand the tax base and enhance economic transparency.
•Consideration is given to restructuring energy, promoting solar panel installation, and providing subsidies for energy-saving upgrades.

Overview

•The Thai economy faces pressure from fragile purchasing power, high production costs, and global economic uncertainty.
•Montri Mahapruksapong stated that using loans for short-term economic stimulation is necessary but must be paired with long-term economic restructuring.
•FTI CEO Poll 50, concerning the 400 billion baht loan plan, found most industry executives believe the 'Thai Helps Thai Plus' project would be most effective with added conditions supporting Thai product purchases.
•Private sector suggests linking participating shops to the tax system to expand the tax base and improve economic transparency.
•Private sector recommends prioritizing solar panel installation with Net Metering mechanisms as part of energy restructuring.
•Private sector suggests government subsidies for machinery, equipment, and building energy efficiency upgrades.
•A survey of FTI CEOs indicates that the 400 billion baht loan spending plan is considered 'insufficient' for the current economic crisis.
•Most entrepreneurs anticipate a slowdown in the Thai economy in the second half of 2026 compared to the first quarter, due to global uncertainty and production cost volatility.

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Key Quotes

Montri Mahapruksapong

"The use of loans to stimulate the economy in the short term is necessary, but must be accompanied by long-term economic restructuring."

การนำเงินกู้มาใช้เพื่อกระตุ้นเศรษฐกิจในระยะสั้นจึงมีความจำเป็น แต่ต้องดำเนินควบคู่กับการปรับโครงสร้างเศรษฐกิจในระยะยาว

FTI CEO Poll 50

"Most industry executives believe the 'Thai Helps Thai Plus' project will be most effective if the government adds conditions to support Thai product purchases."

ผู้บริหารภาคอุตสาหกรรมส่วนใหญ่เห็นว่า โครงการ “ไทยช่วยไทย พลัส” จะมีประสิทธิภาพมากที่สุด หากภาครัฐเพิ่มเงื่อนไขสนับสนุนการซื้อสินค้าไทย

FTI CEO Poll 50

"Most entrepreneurs believe it is 'insufficient' and additional measures should be provided to help entrepreneurs."

ผู้ประกอบการส่วนใหญ่เห็นว่ายัง “ไม่เพียงพอ” และควรมีมาตรการช่วยเหลือผู้ประกอบการเพิ่มเติม

Key Entities

Organization

Federation of Thai Industries (FTI)(ส.อ.ท.)ℹ️

A representative body of Thai industry that surveyed its members regarding economic stimulus measures.

Person

Montri Mahapruksapong(นายมนตรี มหาพฤกษ์พงศ์)

Deputy Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) who provided insights on the economic situation and proposed solutions.

Law

'Thai Helps Thai Plus' Project(โครงการ “ไทยช่วยไทย พลัส”)

A proposed government economic stimulus project that the FTI believes would be more effective with added support for Thai product purchases.

Made in Thailand (MiT)

A government initiative to promote the use of Thai-made products, which the FTI suggests should be accelerated and linked with e-commerce and government procurement.