Government Allocates 6 Billion Baht for Khlong Dan Debt Payments
The government allocated 6 billion baht to cover potential debt payments for the Khlong Dan lock toll project, which carries total obligations of approximately 10 billion baht across multiple fiscal years.
At 1 p.m. on September 7, 2569, during a parliamentary session to consider the fiscal year 2570 budget bill, Parathorn Prischanannthkul, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, explained that this year the committee successfully reduced the budget by a total of 11,162 million baht, with amendments adding funds that were placed into the central budget.
Many lawmakers questioned why 6 billion baht needed to be allocated to the central budget. Parathorn explained that a subcommittee related to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, specifically the Pollution Control Department, had budgeted 3 billion baht for Khlong Dan lock toll debt payments, to be discussed under Section 17. Following negotiations, the government faces approximately 10 billion baht in obligations: 4 billion baht from the 2569 central budget, 3 billion baht from the 2570 budget, and another 3 billion baht from the 2570 central budget. The case remains unresolved.
Parathorn stated that in the worst-case scenario, if the state must pay 6 billion baht under conditions not yet approved by the cabinet, this justifies allocating the central budget reserve for potential amendments. He noted that the government recently formed a committee to negotiate and resolve the debt.
Regarding the 12 billion baht central budget that some lawmakers claimed overlapped with a 400 billion baht loan decree, Parathorn clarified the objectives differ. The broad framework concerns energy transition, but the methods vary. Of the remaining 200 billion baht in loans, the government aims to support citizens directly through matching fund mechanisms, drawing on accumulated reserves held by state agencies and local administration organizations nationwide—estimated at approximately 1 trillion baht. This approach aims to inject idle capital into the economy and reduce public budget burdens.
Parathorn also addressed compensation owed to the Excise Department under existing law, noting that amending the law is the only solution. Bhumjaithai Party has already proposed such legislation, which will be promoted before the 2571 budget is finalized. He called for cross-party support, noting the proposed law is currently in the public hearing phase under Section 77.
Regarding national disaster insurance, Parathorn noted the government pays enormous annual compensation—approximately 30 billion baht in the past year—and seeks new approaches to limit state expenditures by establishing a disaster insurance mechanism.
