Bangkok: “Alongkot” is urging the public to pay close attention to the Ministry of Finance after discovering potential irregularities in its decision to hire legal firms for the collection of 100 million baht in student loan debt. Alongkot’s concerns also extend to the allocation of income from 1.2 million rai of royal land and a significant budget request by the government center for building management.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Alongkot Woraki, a member of the Senate and Vice Chairman of the Senate’s Special Committee on the Study of the Draft Budget Act for Fiscal Year 2026, expressed concerns over the Ministry of Finance’s budget allocations. He highlighted the Student Loan Fund’s (SLF) hiring of legal firms for debt collection, which involved a substantial sum of 100 million baht. The Terms of Reference (TOR) were divided among several companies, prompting an investigation into the directors and shareholders of these firms to assess the value and necessity of this expenditure.

Further scrutiny is directed at the Treasury Department, which manages nearly 5 million rai of Crown Property allocated to government agencies, with 2 million rai reserved. Of particular interest is the 1.2 million rai managed by the Ministry of Finance, from which income is generated. However, there is ambiguity regarding whether this income, derived from renting or other benefits, becomes state revenue. The agency’s inability to clarify this matter raises questions about the transparency and direction of these funds, which currently contribute to the Treasury Department’s fund rather than state income.

Another point of concern is the budget allocated for the 80th Anniversary Government Complex, amounting to over 4.4 billion baht. This budget was used to compensate a public company responsible for managing the complex. The rationale behind this substantial allocation, and the public company’s lack of self-funding, have come under scrutiny. Questions also arise regarding the overall cost exceeding 4.4 billion baht.

When questioned about the Senate’s stance on the 2016 budget, Mr. Alongkot highlighted the Senate’s limited authority, which focuses on evaluating economic, social, security, and disaster-related factors rather than individual budgetary cases. The Senate’s primary role is to provide feedback on the overall budget draft.

In response to speculation about potential delays in the budget’s approval, Mr. Alongkot dismissed such concerns, emphasizing the Senate’s obligation to approve or disapprove the budget through observations. He expressed confidence that if the budget draft is passed by the MPs, the Senate will likely not object, enabling swift allocation of funds into the system to stimulate the economy. The Senate’s consensus suggests an inclination to approve the budget to facilitate rapid economic advancement.