Southern Provinces Propose 57bn Baht Projects for Cabinet Retreat

Prachachat•Politics•15h ago

Reader Briefing

Five southern border provinces have submitted 199 development project proposals totaling over 57 billion baht for the upcoming Cabinet Retreat in Songkhla.

•Piphat Ratchakitprakarn chaired a preparatory meeting on August 25 regarding the 1/2026 Cabinet Retreat.
•Proposals from Songkhla, Satun, Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat total 199 projects with a preliminary budget of over 57 billion baht.
•The proposals will be presented at the Cabinet Retreat in Songkhla on September 1, 2026.
•Piphat Ratchakitprakarn stated that projects will be screened for readiness and cost-effectiveness before approval.

Overview

•On August 25, Piphat Ratchakitprakarn chaired a preparatory meeting for the 1/2026 Cabinet Retreat.
•The 199 proposed projects from Songkhla, Satun, Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat involve a preliminary budget of over 57 billion baht.
•The Governor of Songkhla proposed 5 preparation projects (50 million baht) and 26 policy projects (35,061.056 million baht).
•The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment raised concerns that a boat tour project to see Irrawaddy dolphins might impact the ecosystem.
•The Governor of Satun proposed 17 urgent projects and 11 policy projects, with Piphat Ratchakitprakarn suggesting expansion into Manang and Thung Wa districts.
•The Governor of Narathiwat proposed 6 ready-to-implement projects (404.790 million baht) and 8 policy projects (15,055.640 million baht).
•The proposals must be reviewed by the Joint Public and Private Sector Consultative Committee (JPPSC) next week before the September 1, 2026 meeting.
•Piphat Ratchakitprakarn noted that urgent flood relief projects are likely to be approved.

Full article content is available on the original source.

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Source: Prachachat (Original)

Key Quotes

Piphat Ratchakitprakarn

"The government will screen carefully and will approve only projects that are ready, cost-effective, do not negatively impact the budget, and benefit the local people."

รัฐบาลจะกลั่นกรองอย่างรอบคอบ จะเห็นชอบเฉพาะโครงการที่มีความพร้อม มีความคุ้มค่า ไม่ส่งผลต่องบประมาณ และต้องเป็นประโยชน์ต่อประชาชนในพื้นที่

Key Entities

Person

Piphat Ratchakitprakarn(พิพัฒน์ รัชกิจประการ)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport who chaired the preparatory meeting for the Cabinet Retreat.