Politician Demands Government Commit to Three Budget Reforms

On September 7, 2569, the House of Representatives convened to consider the draft budget appropriations bill for fiscal year 2570, totaling 3.78 trillion baht, in readings two and three following committee deliberations.

At 4:05 p.m., Natthapong Ruangpanya, a Pheu Thai list MP and party faction leader, proposed amendments to the budget for Article 7 concerning the Prime Minister's Office, noting that the Budget Bureau had requested 1.05 trillion baht but the committee reduced it by only 240 billion baht. He argued that while committee members understand budget reduction criteria, the Office of the Prime Minister's own performance indicators—such as requiring budgets to align with government policy and achieving zero-based budgeting, as stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Anutin Charnvirakul in the first reading—have not been met.

Natthapong stated that over 90 percent, possibly up to 95 percent, of projects in the fiscal year 2570 budget draft are carryover initiatives from previous years, with few new projects genuinely designed to support government policies. He questioned whether the budget truly reflects government priorities.

He also raised concerns about budget transparency, including off-budget spending such as the TH-AI Passport project under the Digital Economy scheme, which he questioned may have specifications locked in its terms of reference.

Natthapong challenged whether the Budget Bureau and government are meeting their own performance standards. If they fail to meet the indicators they set, he questioned whether the same standards applied to other budget recipients are being applied equally. He stated he would not approve the committee's proposed budget allocation unless the government provides reassurance on these matters.

Natthapong outlined three reform proposals: First, he advocated for transparent, efficient budgets with public participation, referencing a draft public information bill already submitted to parliament that would require disclosure of procurement details, drafting committees, and other data. He asked if the government would support passing this legislation in the current fiscal year.

Second, he urged the government to establish clear budget frameworks for all spending units at the fiscal year's outset, aligned with OECD guidelines, before they submit budget requests. He noted that Pheu Thai has already submitted a draft budget procedures bill to parliament for consideration. He asked if the government would commit to improving the budget process in this manner and adopt clear early-year guidelines as proposed.