เอกชนแนะรัฐใช้เงินกู้หนุนซื้อสินค้าไทย ส่งเสริมโรงงานติดโซลาร์เซลล์Private Sector Urges Government to Utilize Loans to Support Purchase of Thai Products and Promote Solar Panel Installation

On Friday, May 29, 2026, Mr. Montree Mahapruetphong, Vice President of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), disclosed the results of the FTI CEO Poll No. 50 for May 2026, under the topic “Private Sector Opinions on the 400 Billion Baht Loan Spending Plan,” which surveyed the opinions of 207 executives from FTI, covering 48 industry groups and 76 provincial industrial councils.

The results of the FTI CEO Poll No. 50 for May 2026 indicate that most industry executives believe that the “Thai Help Thai Plus” project would be most effective if the government increases the conditions to support the purchase of Thai products, ensuring that funds circulate within the country and reach operators in the supply chain. Concurrently, the private sector suggests that participating stores should be linked to the tax system to help expand the tax base and enhance the transparency of the economy. Moreover, there should be a transparent mechanism to track spending through a real-time dashboard to build credibility and ensure that budget allocations yield maximum benefits for the overall economy.

Regarding the use of loans related to “energy restructuring” as per government plans, most operators advocate prioritizing support for the installation of clean energy production systems, such as solar panel systems combined with suitable net metering, to reduce energy costs for the public and businesses in the long term. Additionally, they propose that the government provides subsidies for upgrading machinery, equipment, and buildings to enhance energy efficiency.

At the same time, the private sector asserts that beyond measures to support the public and energy restructuring, the government should utilize loan funds to revitalize the economy in other areas, particularly by enhancing liquidity for SMEs through low-interest loans, grant support, and opening new markets while accelerating the promotion of Thai products under the Made in Thailand (MiT) initiative by linking them with e-commerce and public procurement.

When asked about the adequacy of the 400 billion Baht loan spending plan to address the current economic crisis, most operators indicated that it is “insufficient” and additional measures should be implemented to assist operators, especially in terms of enhancing liquidity, reducing cost burdens, stimulating domestic purchasing power, and long-term infrastructure development. In terms of the forecast for the Thai economy in the second half of 2026, most operators view that the economy is likely to slow down compared to the first quarter of 2026 due to global economic uncertainties and fluctuations in production costs, which may affect orders and the competitiveness of the industrial sector.

Thus, the industrial sector must rapidly adapt through effective cost management, increasing productivity, utilizing technology and clean energy, as well as expanding into new markets to reduce risks and enhance resilience to an economy that remains fragile in the future.

From the survey of 207 FTI executives across 48 industry groups and 76 provincial industrial councils, we can summarize the results of the FTI CEO Poll No. 48 based on 6 questions as follows:

1) Compared to previous consumption stimulus projects, how should the “Thai Help Thai Plus” project differ to be most effective?
Rank 1: Increase conditions related to purchasing Thai products to ensure money circulates in the economy 62.3%
Rank 2: Link participating stores to the tax system to expand the tax base 50.2%
Rank 3: Establish a transparent monitoring mechanism (real-time dashboard) for credibility 49.3%
Rank 4: Mandate spending on essential goods and services, such as food and essentials 45.9%

2) What should be prioritized for the remaining loan funds to be used for “energy restructuring” according to government plans?
Rank 1: Support installation of clean energy production systems, such as solar cells combined with appropriate net metering 75.4%
Rank 2: Provide subsidies for factories to upgrade machinery and equipment, including improving energy efficiency of buildings 55.6%
Rank 3: Develop smart grid and smart meter technology 44.4%
Rank 4: Promote the use of biofuels, such as B10, E20, or alternative fuels 33.8%

3) Besides assisting the public and energy restructuring, in what additional areas should the government utilize loan funds to revitalize the economy?
Rank 1: Enhance liquidity for SMEs through low-interest loans, grant support, and opening new markets 57.0%
Rank 2: Promote the use of Thai products (Made in Thailand) linked with e-commerce and public procurement 57.0%
Rank 3: Develop infrastructure in water and logistics to support investment 44.0%
Rank 4: Promote the use of AI and automation in factories along with upskilling the workforce 42.5%

4) Is the government’s 400 billion Baht loan spending plan adequate to handle the current economic crisis?
Rank 1: Insufficient due to the need for additional support measures for operators 47.3%
Rank 2: Cannot yet be evaluated 40.1%
Rank 3: Sufficient to handle the economic crisis 12.6%

5) Should the government increase the public debt ceiling (70% of GDP) to continue stimulating the economy?
Rank 1: Opposed 56.0%
Rank 2: In favor 44.0%

6) What is the trend of the Thai economy in the second half of 2026 compared to the first half?
Rank 1: Slowing down due to energy costs, living expenses, and weak purchasing power 38.2%
Rank 2: Higher risk from various external factors and economic uncertainties 30.4%
Rank 3: Stagnant, slowly recovering 18.8%
Rank 4: Improving due to economic stimulus measures, investment, and exports of certain products 12.6%

            
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Corporate Communications Department, Federation of Thai Industries
Telephone 02-345-1051