Bangkok: The House of Representatives discussed the budget for the first time in 69 days. Pichai explained that the budget was cut by 8.92 billion baht. The House of Representatives has begun its first day of budget debate. Pichai explained the committee’s report that the 8.92 billion baht budget cut was inconsistent with the current situation and policy changes.
According to Thai News Agency, in a special meeting of the House of Representatives to consider the draft Budget Act for the fiscal year 2026, amounting to 3.78 trillion baht, second reading, the special committee completed its consideration on the first day, with Mr. Wan Muhammad Noor Matha, Speaker of the House, presiding over the meeting.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Pichai Chunhavajira, in his capacity as Chairman of the Special Committee on the Draft Budget for Fiscal Year 2026, stated that the Special Committee has completed its review of the draft 2026 budget. The Special Committee prioritizes implementing missions to drive national development in line with government policy, the National Strategy, the Master Plan under the National Strategy, the National Economic and Social Development Plan, the National Security Policy and Plan, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
This includes the Ministry’s operational plans, taking into account the needs and missions of budget-receiving units and the area development plans based on public needs, as well as taking into account the country’s fiscal position and economic stability. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of driving budget-receiving units under the principles of good governance, honesty, transparency, and fairness to achieve maximum efficiency and benefit for the nation and its people.
Mr. Pichai stated that there are important overall observations for the government to address regarding the economic situation in fiscal year 2026, which is expected to slow down more than anticipated, impacting revenue and expenditure budgets. This includes preparing the budget to address trade protectionist measures in major economies and managing public debt to reduce it over the long term, ensuring fiscal space for use in times of economic crisis without impacting future fiscal stability. Furthermore, he emphasized addressing specific provincial issues that differ depending on the local context, with public participation to ensure alignment with local facts.
The Special Committee has adjusted the budget by 8,920,781,300 baht, taking into account the current situation, including goals, actual performance, value for money and operational readiness, and budget spending potential. Furthermore, it has prioritized off-budget funds or revenue collected by budget recipients as input for consideration, such as:
1. Items whose performance is slower than the planned amount, expected to be unable to be spent in time for the fiscal year, or items with original budget commitments that are lower than the proposed budget.
2. The list is not consistent with the current situation or has been implemented but has not increased the efficiency of budget use.
3. Items that can be postponed without affecting the mission of providing services to the public or reviewing the project to be consistent with policy changes.
4. Items that can be cancelled or used from other parts besides the budget, such as funds collected by the company itself or remaining accumulated funds.
Mr. Pichai further explained that the budget increase was considered appropriate and necessary to ensure it was sufficient for the agency’s duties, including:
1. Central budget for emergency reserve funds
2. The Office of the Prime Minister increases the salary of personnel of the Digital Government Development Agency (Public Organization).
3. The Ministry of Finance has increased the budget for the Fiscal Policy Office to cover expenses for organizing the 2016 World Bank and International Monetary Fund Council of Governors meetings.
4. Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Department of the Promotion of the Quality of Life of Persons with Disabilities, is an expense to support the improvement of the living environment of persons with disabilities.
5. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Royal Rainmaking Department, to alleviate the problem of smog and small dust particles.
6. The Ministry of Justice provides funds to the Department of Probation for behavior modification expenses to monitor probationers and drug addicts.
7. Ministry of Labor, in the Social Security Office, is an expense according to the government’s right to pay contributions for the Social Security Fund, in the amount that the government owes.
8. State enterprise of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand is the cost of supporting civil works according to the concession contract for the Orange Line electric train project, Bang Khun Non – Bangkok Cultural Center section.
9. Allocate funds to the courts, independent organizations, and the Attorney General’s Office to be used as personnel budgets and to support operations according to missions.
Mr. Pichai stated that the committee has made two budget changes: 1) a 70 million baht reduction in the Ministry of Public Health budget for personnel transfers, with an increase for local administrative organizations to provide personnel subsidies for transfers at Chaloem Phrakiat Health Centers and Subdistrict Health Promotion Hospitals; and 2) a 114 million baht reduction in the Department of Local Administration budget for three municipalities and one subdistrict municipality.
“In considering the budget details, including budget reductions, increases, and changes, the Special Committee has placed special emphasis on the readiness and potential of agencies, overlap, operational goals, past performance, and economic stimulus missions. This includes addressing people’s livelihood issues and directly benefiting them. This includes supporting economic growth and strengthening the economy, supporting stable internal and external factors, and ensuring that operations do not conflict with the Constitution, relevant laws, and regulations, in order to stay within the 3.78 trillion baht budget,” said Mr. Pichai.