Bangkok: The Comptroller General's Department has clarified that only one bidder will not automatically secure the 157 billion baht economic stimulus budget job.

According to Thai News Agency, Mrs. Patricia Mongkolvanich, Director-General of the Comptroller General's Department, addressed reports suggesting that procurement could proceed by submitting a single bidder who would receive the work immediately. Mrs. Mongkolvanich referred to a circular letter from the Committee on State Procurement and Supplies Management Problems, dated July 7, 2025, which references a prior circular from March 20, 2025. These documents outline that if only one bidder is present, or if multiple bidders exist but only one meets the specified conditions, the electronic bidding results must adhere to the Ministry of Finance's regulations, specifically B.E. 2560, Section 56, paragraph one.

This regulation requires that in such cases, the bidding process should not immediately result in awarding the contract. Instead, the government agency must follow the procedure laid out in Section 56, paragraph one, which advises cancellation of the electronic bidding unless there is valid reasoning to proceed without cancellation. The process then continues in accordance with Section 57 or Section 58, as applicable.

Mrs. Mongkolvanich emphasized that news reports had omitted critical aspects of these regulations, leading to misunderstandings. The procurement process must comply with applicable laws to benefit government agencies while upholding principles of value, transparency, efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability, as outlined in Section 8 of the Government Procurement and Supplies Management Act B.E. 2560. Stakeholders can access procurement details within the 157 billion baht framework at www.gprocurement.go.th.