In its first reading back in June, the comprehensive 3.75-trillion-baht budget bill cruised through the House with a supportive vote of 311 to 175, with two members sitting on the fence with their abstentions. To sift through the bill in detail, a special 72-member House committee was put together, featuring an 18-member delegation from the cabinet and 54 representatives from various government and opposition factions.
Leading this diligent team was Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, who guided the committee through trimming down the budget by a cool 7.8 billion baht. Let’s delve into who felt the pinch from these cuts!
To start, revolving funds used by a host of agencies took a big hit, losing about 2.1 billion baht. Specific victims include the Village Fund, which lost a sizable 2 billion baht, the Science Research and Innovation Fund down by 100 million baht, and the National Saving Fund, which saw a 10 million baht reduction. Additionally, funds earmarked for integrated schemes dipped by 788 million baht.
Taking center stage, the Defence Ministry saw its proposed budget slashed by nearly 1.18 billion baht. The army bore the brunt with a 688 million baht reduction, the navy’s funds shrunk by 151 million baht, and the air force saw a cut of 113 million baht. These significant cuts impact various construction and renovation projects critical to these branches.
Another ministry feeling the strain is the Interior Ministry, which saw its funds cut by 395 million baht. For instance, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation is down by 44 million baht, directly affecting a disaster warning system development programme. The Department of Public Works and Planning faces a 100 million baht cut, impairing river embankment projects in several provinces.
From the Prime Minister’s Office, budget reductions amounting to 371 million baht have been identified. Agencies like the Internal Security Operations Command faced cuts of 108 million baht, while the National Cyber Security Agency saw a modest 11 million baht reduction. The Digital Government Development Agency was not spared, with a 4 million baht decrease.
Lastly, the Ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives faced a hefty budget drawdown of 367 million baht. This will negatively impact crucial drought and flood study programmes, environmental impact assessment schemes, and more.
As the debate looms, the trimmed budget bill for the 2025 fiscal year promises a heated discussion among representatives. Will these cuts pave the way for a more efficient allocation of resources or spark controversy and debate? Stay tuned as the drama unfolds in the coming week!
I can’t believe they are cutting 2 billion from the Village Fund! This is going to hurt so many rural communities.
Agreed, Joe. It’s ridiculous. These funds are crucial for development. Why not cut more from the Defence Ministry instead?
Defense is important too! We can’t just slash their budget and leave the country vulnerable.
Of course defense is important, but the scale of these cuts seems unfairly balanced. Our local communities need these funds more urgently.
But maybe, just maybe, they saw some inefficiencies in how the Village Fund was being utilized. We don’t have all the details.
Larry, the point is that cuts should be balanced. It’s the extent and focus of these reductions that bother me.
A cut to the Defense Ministry isn’t all bad. The army doesn’t need half of what they get for construction projects when there’s no imminent threat.
I disagree. We need a strong military infrastructure. It’s not just about current threats but also being prepared for future ones.
Tim, the world is changing. Investing excessively in military projects may not be the best strategy anymore.
Meanwhile, crucial infrastructure projects get left behind. It’s a matter of prioritizing what truly matters.
A 4 million baht cut to the Digital Government Development Agency is hardly significant. They waste so much money anyway!
Honestly, Tom, digital transformation is important for the future. Any cut to these initiatives is a step back.
I see both points. But maybe the cut is a signal for them to use their funds more efficiently.
368 million baht cut from the Ministry of Agriculture? How will this impact our flood preparation efforts?
Yeah Nick, our floods are getting worse every year. This is not the time to be making cuts in such crucial areas.
Exactly, Emily. It feels like they’re short-sightedly trimming away at our future security.
Overall, it looks like the cuts are across the board. Maybe it’s about making every department more efficient.
Efficiency is great, but not if it means cutting essential programs to the bone.
True, there should be a balance. I guess the real test is whether the outcomes justify these cuts.
They always cut from social and scientific funds first. Why not scrutinize the massive perks and benefits that government officials get?
An 11 million baht cut to the National Cyber Security Agency? In today’s world, cybersecurity should be a priority, not an afterthought.
Right, the more we cut from cybersecurity, the greater the risks in this digital age.
Also, overlooked cyber threats can cripple a nation just as severely as physical threats.
The National Saving Fund losing 10 million baht isn’t catastrophic. People need to be more self-reliant anyhow.
Trimming back on research funds shows a lack of foresight. Science and innovation are where future solutions come from.
Why do we always end up in these debates every budget cycle? Can’t we find a long-term solution for balanced budgets without making painful cuts each time?
Because there’s always push and pull with limited resources. Someone always ends up disappointed.
It’s just frustrating, Mike. It feels like we never make real progress.
Let’s be rational. Is there any such thing as a ‘perfect’ budget plan? Cuts are inevitable in some areas.
755 million baht cuts across integrated schemes? Stifling collaborative efforts isn’t the way to go!