Bangkok: "Veera" has put forward a proposal to cut the budget by 7.4 billion baht, arguing against the increase of recurring expenses that contribute to a chronic budget deficit. According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Veera Teerapatranon, a member of the committee, emphasized the necessity of adopting a new budget approach during the debate on the draft Budget Act for the fiscal year 2027. The draft, which totals 3.78 trillion baht, was reviewed in its second and third readings by the House of Representatives, chaired by Speaker Sophon Saram.
Mr. Veera argued that the current fiscal situation, marked by a persistent inability to match revenue with expenditure, warrants an immediate halt to any further increases in the annual expenditure budget. He warned that failure to address this discrepancy could result in a fiscal crisis within the next two to three years, as the nation remains trapped in a cycle of public debt.
Furthermore, Mr. Veera pointed out the inefficiencies in managing the substantial off-budget funds held by various government agencies. These funds total approximately 4 trillion baht, with key ministries such as Interior, Public Health, Defense, and Transport contributing only 95 billion baht to the 2027 budget. He advocated for these funds to be integrated into the annual budget appropriately, prioritizing urgent national needs to enhance fiscal responsibility and stability.