BANGKOK, Thailand – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Phumtham Wechayachai met with Jirayu Huangsap, Chair of the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee on the Transfer of Military Businesses, to discuss ongoing efforts to transition military-operated businesses to more appropriate management structures.
The meeting aimed to address challenges, enhance transparency, and align military operations with public and economic benefits.
Key topics included the electricity supply in Sattahip District, the only district not serviced by the Provincial Electricity Authority. Progress was reported in resolving this issue. Discussions also examined the potential transfer of golf courses near Don Mueang Airport, including Thupatemi Golf Course, to the Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited and the possibility of converting parts of the land into public parks.
Other military-operated ventures, such as hotels, boxing stadiums, and tourism projects, were reviewed. The committee emphasized transitioning welfare-focused activities into business-oriented models while ensuring compliance with public sector welfare regulations.
The management of military land, covering approximately 5.9 million rai, was also discussed. The military is addressing overlapping claims involving an additional 12 million rai and has already transferred over 16,000 rai of unused land to the Treasury Department for civilian housing and agriculture. Plans for transferring another 59,000 rai are underway as part of the program’s second phase. (NNT)
