Bangkok: Sabida Thaiseth, the Minister of Culture, has announced that the merger of the Ministry of Tourism with the Ministry of Culture is projected to take no more than six months. Sihasak Phuangketkaew, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, remains undeterred by recent polls reflecting a lack of public confidence.

According to Thai News Agency, ministers gathered at the Santi Maitri Building in the Government House for official duties, including taking photographs for ministerial identification cards and undergoing COVID-19 screening, organized by the Cabinet Secretariat. During this event, several ministers provided interviews to the media. Paradorn Prisnanantakul, the minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, responded briefly to inquiries about an emergency decree related to borrowing funds to address the energy crisis, advising that such questions be directed to the Prime Minister, who planned to discuss the matter later.

Ms. Sabida Thaiseth elaborated on the proposed merger of tourism functions under her ministry, indicating that the final decision rests with the Prime Minister. She suggested that the integration of tourism responsibilities and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) with the Ministry of Culture could be completed in approximately six months.

Addressing the NIDA poll results, which showed skepticism about the government's ability to manage the energy crisis, Deputy Prime Minister Sihasak Phuangketkaew expressed his determination to persevere, stating, "It's alright, we'll just work harder." He emphasized that he remains undiscouraged by the public's lack of confidence, underscoring his commitment to overcoming the challenges ahead.