Higher Education Budget Slashed 7.5%, Lawmaker Urges Real Results

During a special parliamentary committee meeting on July 10, 2025, examining the fiscal year 2570 budget bill, Surachest Praweenwongwit, a Pheu Thai list MP, expressed concern over the Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Ministry's budget being cut by 7.5% compared to last year, dropping from 161.927 billion baht to 149.826 billion baht.

Surachest criticized the ministry's Deputy Secretary General for frequently traveling first class to sign ineffective memoranda of understanding that yield no real results, calling them mere "meet and greet" exercises that need improvement.

He emphasized the country's economic challenges and the need to better allocate limited resources. Surachest highlighted the importance of research and development funding, noting that while the country invests 144 billion baht in road construction, the Science, Research and Innovation Promotion Fund (TSRIF) receives only 13.44 billion baht—equivalent to nationwide school and hospital budgets combined.

The ministry's budget faced a severe 32% cut, Surachest said, making it difficult to envision Thailand's future direction when resources flow primarily toward road construction that requires constant repairs.

He cited an example from the previous parliament where the transportation committee proposed research into traffic and transportation innovations, such as traffic light algorithms, which could generate real development and income. However, the ministry showed little initiative. Though the current minister agreed in principle, no concrete action has followed.

Surachest criticized the ministry for frequently promoting Traffee Fondue, a software complaint system, as a success story. While he acknowledged its merits, he called it a small-scale project and expressed frustration with "using trendy words to advertise exaggerated achievements," urging the ministry to deliver tangible, large-scale results that truly benefit the nation.