Bangkok:The Cabinet has approved three Mekong-Lancang agricultural projects designed to increase farmers' income, reduce drought impact, curb agricultural burning, and upgrade Thai agricultural products. These initiatives are intended to enhance agricultural production efficiency, promote eco-friendly practices, and improve market competitiveness.
According to Thai News Agency, the Cabinet has sanctioned a draft agreement for projects under the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Special Fund for 2025. The agreement, which authorizes the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to sign, secures funding from the People's Republic of China amounting to US$550,000 (approximately 18.5 million baht). This funding will support three key projects over a 36-month period, focusing on upgrading tea, durian, and coffee production, promoting water-efficient crops post-rice harvest, and reducing the burning of agricultural waste.
Furthermore, the Cabinet acknowledged a report on domestic violence from 2024, revealing 29,684 cases, predominantly affecting women. The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security proposes five strategies to combat this issue, including developing a central database and enhancing protection services.
Additionally, the Cabinet has approved a workforce skills development project to train 32,000 Thai workers in the clean energy industry. This initiative aims to support the technological transition to solar energy systems, with a budget of 972,213,300 baht sourced from the Ministry of Finance to address the energy crisis.
Thailand is also preparing for its ASEAN chairmanship in 2028, designating it a national agenda item and empowering the National ASEAN Committee to manage preparations. This role aims to strengthen ASEAN and address regional challenges, requiring extensive coordination and resource mobilization.
Finally, the Cabinet has made several key appointments, including civil servants and committee members across various sectors, effective from October 27, 2026. These appointments are part of ongoing efforts to enhance administrative functions and support Thailand's strategic objectives.