Bangkok: During a recent House of Representatives meeting to discuss the draft budget bill for the fiscal year 2027, Mr. Paradorn Prisnanantakul, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, clarified that there will be no increase in the Student Loan Fund (SLF) budget. The decision comes amidst a broader budgetary adjustment that has seen a significant reallocation of funds.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Paradorn explained that the SLF budget is already set higher than the previous year, standing at 9 billion baht compared to last year's 5 billion baht. The minister emphasized that the focus should be on improving the SLF's management and fund recovery process. He highlighted that additional central government funds would only be requested if absolutely necessary, ensuring that current allocations are managed effectively.
The meeting also addressed the diversion of 6 billion baht to the central budget as a reserve for the Klong Dan canal fiasco. Mr. Paradorn detailed that this move was necessitated by the subcommittee's allocation related to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment's Pollution Control Department. The debt negotiations for the canal project remain ongoing, and a committee has been established to finalize the debt negotiations.
Additionally, Mr. Paradorn touched upon the 12 billion baht central budget allocation, which was initially met with concerns of overlap with the 400 billion baht loan decree. He clarified that the objectives are distinct, with the current focus being on energy transition and finding ways to release surplus government funds into the economy. This project aims to alleviate the government budget burden.
Mr. Paradorn also addressed compensation payments related to the Government Pension Fund (GPF), which require collaboration to amend the GPF Act. The Bhumjaithai Party has proposed legislation to address this issue, which is currently in the public consultation phase.
Regarding disaster insurance, the government is exploring a new approach, providing insurance for 30 million households to conserve funds spent on disaster relief. While over 20 million households are registered, the government intends to include those without official registration.
Finally, Mr. Paradorn reiterated the importance of efficient SLF management, addressing criticisms about government priorities. He assured that the committee remains committed to supporting students, emphasizing stronger fund management rather than increasing the budget without addressing underlying issues.