Bangkok: "Pharadon" has clarified that utilizing funds from the Emergency Decree to initiate the "Thai Tourism Plus" project does not infringe upon emergency protocols.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Paradorn Prisnanantakul, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, emphasized that the allocation of funds under the Emergency Decree for the "Thai Tourism Plus" initiative is justified, as it aims to support small tourism businesses impacted by the ongoing Middle East conflict. Mr. Paradorn, who oversees the Budget Bureau, noted that the Ministry of Tourism and Sports intends to request these funds from a loan authorized by the Ministry of Finance for 2026. He expressed that while the project's alignment with the loan's intended purpose is questionable, it does address the needs of affected businesses.
Mr. Paradorn highlighted that if the project proceeds, specific conditions and criteria must be established to determine eligibility for entrepreneurs and individuals. When questioned about whether this action qualifies as an emergency measure, he confirmed that it does, given the direct impact on small tourism businesses due to international conflicts.
Regarding the "Thai Help Thai Plus Phase 2" project, Mr. Paradorn stated that further clarification and decision-making rest with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Mr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas. The Ministry of Finance is tasked with evaluating the project, and Mr. Paradorn suggested completing the first phase before reassessing the situation, considering the unresolved nature of the conflict.