Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Tuesday ordered all ministries to undertake significant regulatory and legal reforms to facilitate the ease of doing business, aiming to complete the process this year.
Chai Wacharonke, a government spokesman, said during the mobile cabinet meeting held in Ranong province on Tuesday the premier instructed all ministries to review or amend regulations hindering business operations after receiving complaints from international entities during his visit to the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2024 in Davos, Switzerland.
"The prime minister informed the cabinet meeting that during his visit to the Davos Forum, he engaged in talks with European business representatives operating in Thailand, particularly those in the pharmaceutical industry," said Mr Chai.
"They highlighted challenges for doing business in Thailand, citing complex regulations that hindered the registration of important drugs. This, in turn, affected the availability of critical medications, such as cancer treatments, which have been registered and used by the public in European countries for many years.
"The registration process in Thailand was described as excessively cumbersome, despite these drugs meeting high global medical standards."
He said Mr Srettha demanded these issues be addressed to align with the government's policy of fostering a business-friendly environment.
The premier required all government agencies to accelerate reviewing or scrapping regulations that impede business operations, said Mr Chai.
This effort should cover both Thai and foreign business operators, ensuring smooth business operations without bureaucratic delays as occur now, he said.
Mr Chai said the prime minister also instructed the Legal Reform Committee, the Customs Department, the Excise Department and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expedite rectifying and improving laws that hinder business operations, attracting foreign investors and creating a favourable environment for both domestic and international business in Thailand.