Pipat Issues Tight Budget Controls and Accelerated Spending Directives to Maximize Public Benefits
Deputy PM Pipat directs tight budget controls and accelerated spending across Thailand's Transport Ministry to maximize public benefit, prioritizing infrastructure maintenance, clean energy vehicles, and eliminating wasteful expenditures in
Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn chaired a meeting to monitor the management of the 2569 fiscal year budget and oversee the framework for the 2570 budget allocation, with the goal of directing development efforts for optimal value and maximum public benefit.
Attendees included Deputy Transport Ministers Siripong Angkhaskuldkitti, Phatraphong Phatprasit, and Sanphet Bunnamani, along with Transport Ministry officials and representatives from eight government agencies, one state enterprise, and seven state-owned enterprises.
Pipat revealed that budget management for fiscal year 2569 totaling 265.4 billion baht is being tracked, with over 234.7 billion baht allocated to investment spending for national development. He has directed all agencies to manage and execute their projects according to government-set targets and timelines to ensure efficient budget distribution, stimulate grassroots economic growth, and generate continuous income for citizens.
For the 2570 budget framework preparation, the ministry has reviewed allocation requests totaling 399.5 billion baht from affiliated agencies. Key policy directives include:
– Prioritizing maintenance over new road construction, emphasizing repairs and upkeep of existing transport infrastructure for safety and public convenience. – Reducing unnecessary expenditures by reviewing study trips and office building construction, favoring leasing arrangements instead to redirect funds toward genuine public benefit initiatives. – Pioneering clean energy by mandating that new government vehicle purchases or leases must be electric (EV) or hybrid vehicles, alongside support for solar panel installations at agency facilities to reduce pollution and tackle PM 2.5 problems.
"The ministry's direction moving forward must align with the country's energy transition policy, emphasizing transparency, cost-effectiveness, and efficient budget management to achieve modern, convenient, safe, and environmentally-friendly transportation systems while driving sustainable economic growth," Pipat stated.
