Parliamentarian raises concern over cost of Transport Ministry's fresh headquarters
The main opposition People's Party (PP) has raised questions about a proposed 3.83 billion baht budget for the construction of a new office building for the Transport Ministry, set to begin in the upcoming fiscal year. The concern stems from the project's hefty cost and apparent lack of necessity.
In remarks made during the House of Representatives' discussion of the government's 3.78-trillion-baht budget bill, due to commence in October, Surachet Pravinvongvuth, a PP MP, drew attention to the expense, noting, "I recall the criticism directed at the State Audit Office for spending up to 2.56 billion baht on their new office building, which eventually collapsed [in an earthquake]." He further argued that the Transport Ministry's proposed building is even more expensive.
The planned office building, spanning 18 rai, is significantly larger than the 10 rai used by the State Audit Office in a prime Bang Sue real estate zone, Mr. Surachet pointed out. Despite the reduced budget of 3.83 billion baht from the initial 4.5 billion baht, the opposition party remains concerned about the project's justification.
The Office of the Permanent Secretary, set to receive a total budget of 1.12 billion baht for the upcoming fiscal year, will see a significant increase, primarily dedicated to the building project. The initial funding instalment for the construction in the next fiscal year amounts to 574.8 million baht, with the remaining budget to be spread over the subsequent two years.
The design for the 22-storey building has already been completed, and Mr. Surachet mentioned that only 319 staff members of the Office of the Permanent Secretary will occupy the building upon completion. He challenged Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit to disclose the intended occupants of the new building. The minister will reportedly occupy a 65-square-metre room on the top floor, equipped with a helipad, while floors nine and ten are designed to accommodate an auditorium with 300 seats and a larger convention hall.
As of press time last night, Mr. Suriya had not responded to Mr. Surachet's remarks. The People's Party's disagreements with the government budget, particularly as the main opposition party, highlight the ongoing scrutiny of spending within government projects.
- The People's Party (PP) has expressed concerns about the 3.83 billion baht budget for the Transport Ministry's office building, questioning its necessity, following the criticism over the State Audit Office's spending on their own building.
- The proposed office building for the Transport Ministry, despite a reduced budget from the initial 4.5 billion baht, still raises concerns within the PP due to its high cost and questionable justification, especially considering its size and need for a helipad for the minister.
- The debate over government spending, as shown by the PP's opposition to the Transport Ministry's office building project, underscores the importance of policy-and-legislation and personal-finance discussions in political news and general-news discourse, given the public's growing interest in budgeting and finance matters.
