Government officials have highlighted its allocation of more than 1.12 trillion baht in public investment to help drive economic growth in fiscal 2027.
According to government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek, although the government's investment budget in the fiscal 2027 budget bill amounts to only 789 billion baht, down by 72.5 billion baht or 8.4% from fiscal 2026, this does not mean public investment is being reduced.
The government continues to invest through other channels, including 286 billion baht in investment by state-owned enterprises, 40.6 billion in public-private partnership projects, and 10 billion via Thailand Future Funds. These efforts provide more than 330 billion baht in additional investment, bringing total public investment for fiscal 2027 to 1.12 trillion baht, she said.
This amount is slightly higher than investment spending of roughly 1.11 trillion baht in fiscal 2026.
The fiscal 2027 budget totalling 3.788 trillion baht, up 0.2% from the previous fiscal year, recently passed its first reading in parliament.
Ms Rachada said the government understands concerns raised by lawmakers and the public regarding the total budget, particularly the level of investment spending and the budget deficit.
The fiscal 2027 budget was prepared using a targeted approach that reprioritises spending within fiscal constraints, while balancing the need to support the public, maintain economic stability, uphold fiscal discipline, and invest in the country's future, she noted.
The budget was not designed by simply increasing or decreasing individual spending items, but by assessing how every baht would address specific challenges and strengthen the country's long-term economic potential, said Ms Rachada.
Regarding the fiscal deficit, she said the government is not running a deficit to finance indiscriminate spending, but rather to support the economy while it continues to face headwinds, assisting the public and vulnerable groups while working to gradually restore fiscal balance.
The fiscal 2027 budget projects a deficit of 788 billion baht, down from 860 billion in fiscal 2026. The budget deficit is equivalent to 3.9% of GDP in fiscal 2027, compared with 4.4% of GDP in the previous fiscal year.
The budget allocated under the government's "10 Plus" policy agenda of the Anutin Charnvirakul administration totals 1.232 trillion baht.
The initiatives focus on supporting low-income households, the elderly, local communities, education, small and medium-sized enterprises, trade, the green economy, artificial intelligence, and future-oriented investment.
Spending on welfare, education and public health that directly benefits the public amounts to 639 billion baht, an increase of 43.2 billion baht from the previous year.
