Thailand’s House of Representatives approves 2020 budget bill

The House of Representatives of Thailand has passed a budget bill worth 3.2 trillion baht (105.9 billion USD) for fiscal 2020, more than three months after the fiscal year began.
Thailand’s House of Representatives approves 2020 budget bill ảnh 1The House of Representatives of Thailand has passed a budget bill worth 3.2 trillion baht (105.9 billion USD) for fiscal 2020, more than three months after the fiscal year began. (Source: www.bangkokpost.com)
Bangkok (VNA) – The House of Representatives of Thailand has passed a budget bill worth 3.2 trillion baht (105.9 billion USD) for fiscal 2020, more than three months after the fiscal year began.

After a 56-hour debate, the House voted 253-0, with 196 abstentions and one uncast vote in the third and final reading on January 11.

The bill will now be sent to the Senate, which will have 20 days to examine it. The Senate whip has tentatively scheduled the debate for January 20.

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who attended the session, thanked members of the parliament (MPs) for approving the 55-section bill.

He pledged to take into consideration all the concerns brought up by MPs during the debate so that people benefit the most from the budget.

The 520-billion-baht central budget, most of which is at the disposal of the prime minister, remains unchanged. 

The ministries that saw cuts include the Ministry of Defence (down by 1.5 billion baht to 124.4 billion baht), Public Health (down by 1.3 billion to 26.7 billion), Higher Education (down by 1.1 billion to 47.9 billion), Education (down by 909 million to 132.8 billion), and the Interior Ministry (down by 625 million to 288.4 billion).

The Labour Ministry was the only ministry that received an increase, rising 11.2 billion baht to 67.7 billion baht./.

VNA

See more

Indonesia’s meat industry faces widespread job loss risks (Photo:en.infosawit.com)

Indonesia’s meat industry faces risk of mass layoffs

The Indonesian Meat Entrepreneurs and Processors Association (APPDI) said the total beef import quota for private companies this year has been cut to 30,000 tonnes, down sharply from 180,000 tonnes in 2025. The figure accounts for only a small fraction of Indonesia’s overall import plan of 297,000 tonnes of beef and buffalo meat for 2026.

Vietnamese Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang (left) and Lao Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Khamlieng Outhakaysone (Photo: VNA)

Laos focuses on building comprehensive all-people national defence posture

Reporting on defence and security work over the past five years, he noted that despite numerous challenges, Laos has recorded significant achievements under the direct, comprehensive and resolute leadership of the LPRP, the guidance of the Central Commission for Defence–Security, the solidarity and efforts of administrations at all levels, sectors, local authorities and the Lao people, along with cooperation from strategic partners.

Governor of National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas RI) of Indonesia Dr. Ace Hasan Syadzily (Photo: VNA)

Indonesia's programme to develop visionary leaders unveiled

This programme is designed to equip prospective senior leaders with strategic leadership mindset, geopolitical and geostrategic vision, and the capacity to formulate policies and govern the country amid a dynamic domestic and international environment.

Indonesia moves to build clean energy ecosystem for new capital (Photo: indonesiabusinesspost.com)

Indonesia develops clean energy ecosystem for new capital

The involvement of Indonesia's strategic state-owned companies such as Pertamina will strengthen the vision of developing Nusantara into a “forest city” with low carbon emissions, through close collaboration between the government and the business community.

Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia at a press conference in Jakarta on January 8, 2026 (Photo: ANTARA)

Indonesia to reshape coal policy in 2026

From January to September 2025, Indonesia’s coal production fell 15% year-on-year to 509 million tonnes, while exports declined 4.7% to about 285 million tonnes. Shipments to China and India dropped by 16% and 12%, respectively.

Floodwaters cover roads and residential areas in Jakarta following heavy rainfall on January 12, 2025. (Photo: www.jakartadaily.id)

Indonesia: Jakarta inundated after heavy rains

The Jakarta Disaster Mitigation Agency, known locally as Badan Penanggulangan Bencana Daerah or BPBD Jakarta, recorded flooding in eight neighborhood units, or rukun tetangga, in South Jakarta and two in North Jakarta as of 10:00 am local time, with water levels ranging from 20 cm to 95 cm.

Fire destroys one of the 11 PTT petrol stations that were attacked across three southern border provinces on January 11 (Photo: bangkokpost.com)

Thailand imposes curfew in southern province

The Thai military confirmed that multiple petrol stations in Thailand's southern border provinces were hit by arson attacks and explosions on late January 11, leaving one police officer injured, with five petrol stations in Narathiwat among the targeted sites.