Thai PM Anutin to Meet Bankers on Sept 22 Over SME Debt Concerns

BANGKOK, Sept 21 (VoM): Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, together with Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, is scheduled to meet the Thai Bankers’ Association (TBA) on Monday (Sept 22) to address the growing debt challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

According to a well-informed source, Anutin and Ekniti, who also serves as deputy prime minister, will be joined by Deputy Finance Minister Woraphak Thanyawong and members of their economic team. The meeting with TBA president Payong Srivanich and senior banking representatives will take place at the association’s headquarters on Chaeng Wattana Road at 9am.

The agenda will include proposals from the banking sector on measures the government could implement to ease financial pressures on SMEs, which remain particularly vulnerable amid Thailand’s sluggish economic recovery.

SMEs have been struggling with limited access to credit, mounting debt burdens, and challenges stemming from the strong baht, which analysts say does not reflect the nation’s underlying economic conditions.

The discussions are expected to focus on practical solutions to improve access to loans and restore liquidity, ensuring that SMEs considered the backbone of Thailand’s economy can continue to drive growth and employment.