Bangkok: Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, a Member of Parliament from the Democrat Party, has raised concerns over the draft Budget Act for the fiscal year 2027, specifically targeting the central budget allocation. He has proposed a significant cut of 12 billion baht, questioning whether the 60 billion baht earmarked is genuinely intended for investment expenditure.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Abhisit emphasized that the proposed budget overlaps with existing loan amounts, especially concerning energy-related issues. He argued that there is no justification for adding an additional 12 billion baht to the central budget, particularly when stakeholders have expressed doubts about the government's capacity to achieve its set goals in this area.
Mr. Abhisit also pointed out that after budget cuts from various agencies, around 6 billion baht was redirected to the reserve fund for emergencies or necessary expenses. He argued that any savings achieved from agency budgets should be redirected to more essential public items, instead of being added back to the central budget.
Highlighting previous budget preparations, Mr. Abhisit noted inadequacies in allocations for healthcare, government employment, and retirement benefits. This has led to funds being drawn from the treasury for compensatory budgets in subsequent years, which he believes could result in a lack of transparency and difficulty in assessing spending efficiency.
Another critical issue raised was the large central budget allocation for emergencies, approximately 60 billion baht, which was claimed to be for capital expenditures. However, past monitoring showed these funds were often used for short-term transfers or assistance rather than genuine capital investments.
Mr. Abhisit requested the committee clarify the allocation of the 60 billion baht for capital expenditures, ensuring that it aligns with what has been explained to them. He stated his readiness to accept the budget if these details are clearly explained and confirmed as genuine capital expenditures. Otherwise, he will propose a reduction in the central budget for this area, advocating for budget preparation that is transparent and allows for clear auditing.