Bangkok: The House of Representatives continued its discussion on the 2016 budget, with members of the People’s Party expressing concerns over the Ministry of Agriculture’s allocations. They critiqued the budget’s applicability to the practical needs of Thai farmers, particularly questioning the necessity of the Central Market Project in Phayao given its lower export value compared to regions like Chiang Rai and Nan. The People’s Party raised alarms over the potential for monopoly and political motivations behind the project.

According to Thai News Agency, the House of Representatives, led by Speaker Wan Muhammad Noor Matha, evaluated the draft Budget Act for the fiscal year 2026, focusing on Section 14 concerning the Ministry of Agriculture and its agencies. Mr. Witwisit Pansuanpluk, an MP from the Prachachon Party, highlighted that the Agricultural Marketing Organization’s (A.T.O.) projects did not align with the needs of the entire Thai population, suggesting a misuse of taxpayer funds. He specifically questioned the budget concentration in Phayao, a province with lower agricultural export value.

Mr. Witwisit pointed out that the Phayao Central Market Project had a budget allocation of 84,623,500 baht, with over half designated for Phayao alone. He questioned the economic rationale behind this allocation, citing Phayao’s lower market share and logistical disadvantages compared to other provinces. Concerns were raised about potential monopolistic outcomes if the project succeeded, leading to increased transportation costs for farmers in other regions. Mr. Witwisit argued that if the project failed, it would result in significant financial waste.

Additionally, Mr. Witwisit criticized the National Long Project under the Agricultural Cooperatives Promotion Agency (ACPA) for its reliance on government funding and the risk of inefficiency. He argued that the project was vulnerable to immediate termination if budget cuts occurred and called for budget cuts for both projects in favor of initiatives that better meet the needs of Thai farmers.

Mr. Lau Fang Bantithit Thedsakul, another MP from the Prachachon Party, raised concerns about the low prices of agricultural products, affecting farmers’ livelihoods. He noted that despite Thailand’s agricultural focus, locally grown produce is scarce in markets, leading to high food costs and losses for farmers and small businesses.

Mr. Lau Fang identified six agencies involved in agricultural promotion, with a collective budget exceeding 18 billion baht. However, only a small fraction is allocated for effective agricultural promotion and development activities. He questioned the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives’ effectiveness in enhancing competitiveness within the agricultural sector, urging accountability and action to address the challenges faced by farmers.