Lawmakers raise concerns over the proposed 2026 budget plan
Senators in Thailand's Senate Committee Express Skepticism Over the 3.78-Trillion-Baht Budget for 2026
There's a thunderstorm brewing in Thailand's political landscape, as the Senate committee has voiced disapproval over the whopping 3.78-trillion-baht budget bill proposed for the 2026 fiscal year. The committee has zeroed in on the allocation of funds for education loans, revenue from treasury land, and the budget for the Chaeng Watthana Government Complex.
Enter Sen Alongkot Vorakee, the deputy chairman of the committee reviewing the draft budget bill, who blew the lid off the committee's concerns on Tuesday.
He brought up the proposal to set aside 100 million baht for the Student Loan Fund, earmarked for hiring law firms to assist in collecting education-related debts. The senator demanded transparency and cost-effectiveness, suggesting that the Student Loan Fund should meticulously screen these law firms to avoid any potential conflicts of interest. This includes scrutinizing shareholders, board members, or partners associated with the firms before approving their services.
Turning their attention to the Treasury Department, it was revealed that 1.2 million rai of land it manages brings in some income. However, the committee is left in the dark about whether this revenue is generated through rental fees or other sources, as well as whether all this income is duly classified as state revenue.
The committee also raised questions about the 4.4-billion-baht budget allocated for the Chaeng Watthana Government Complex. Critics are questioning how the funds are managed by the public company responsible for the complex's operations, and whether the funds are being spent efficiently and appropriately.
Mr Alongkot clarified the Senate's role, stating that the committee's role is limited to approving or rejecting the budget bill, once it has passed through the lower house. The Senate's approval would simply expedite the injection of funds into the economy.
The 2026 budget bill garnered strong support from 322 lawmakers in the House of Representatives during its first reading on May 31, concluding a heated four-day debate. Both parliament and the Senate will review the bill in August ahead of the new fiscal year, which kicks off on October 1, 2026.
The upcoming review will likely question the efficiency and transparency of the government's spending, with debates focusing on education reforms, state asset management, and government infrastructure development.
- The Senate Committee's concerns over the 3.78-trillion-baht budget proposal for 2026 extend not only to the allocation of funds for the Chaeng Watthana Government Complex but also to the efficiency and transparency of its management in the realm of business and finance.
- The controversy surrounding the 2026 budget bill is not limited to education loans and state asset management but also encompasses the role of politics, as senators like Sen Alongkot Vorakee push for transparency and cost-effectiveness in the allocation of funds in the general news sphere.
