The effort was detailed in a government statement on May 18 and comes as Thailand risks losing ground to regional rivals such as Vietnam and Indonesia, which have moved more aggressively to streamline regulatory regimes and court foreign capital.
“Regulations intended to guide have, in practice, become costs,” said government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek. She said the initiative signals a broader shift in policy: away from a control-oriented bureaucracy toward a more facilitative state.Also Read | S. Jaishankar holds talks with Egypt, Thailand counterparts on West Asia, trade ties at BRICS meet
The reform will also include a proposed “Super License” system that would consolidate multiple permits into a single approval. In a nod to business concerns, the government has asked leading industry groups to identify 10 to 20 of the most pressing regulatory obstacles, with proposals due in early June.
Early evidence suggests red-tape reduction is supporting investment. Thailand’s Board of Investment reported an 18% rise in investment in the first quarter, helped in part by a “Fast Pass” program designed to speed approvals.
On Friday, Anutin hosted some of the country’s top billionaires and industry titans for a rare discussion on the economy. The gathering focused on investment, competitiveness, employment and long-term growth strategies.
