The Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) has requested a budget of Bt350 million for activities unrelated to national security, according to Move Forward MP for Bangkok, Chayaphon Satondee.
During the first day of debate on the second reading of the 2024 Budget Bill, the MP acknowledged that it is very challenging to analyze ISOC’s budget because officials are often unable to provide information or clarify the reasons for the budget.
He gave two examples. First, Bt10.5 million is designated for promoting political development and national unity, and second, there is a request for Bt33 million to enhance the security of key national institutions.
When asked to explain the two projects by the Budget Scrutiny Committee, he said ISOC officials failed to provide an explanation.
When asked again, they said that the budget is meant for holding “talking shops” among community leaders, said the MP, adding that he does not see how these talking shops have anything to do with the maintenance of domestic security.
Then, there is the project for the maintenance of military hardware, estimated at Bt120 million. Chayaphon said ISOC’s main function is to coordinate with local agencies and it has no military equipment of its own.
The Bt345.6 million sought by ISOC to enhance the efficiency of the state in implementing its policies includes Bt190 million for 12 months of chartered flights, said the MP.
He wonders why ISOC has to charter flights from a private firm.
He said he is, however, only seeking to cut ISOC’s budget by Bt23.5 million, instead of the whole amount requested by ISOC.
Another Move Forward MP, Sirikanya Tansakul, said she seeks to cut the Bt3.48 trillion budget for 2024 by only about Bt30 billion, on the grounds that, in reality, the Budget Bureau has already allowed the government to advance about Bt1.8 trillion for use while the budget bill is pending in parliament.
She blamed the slow disbursement of the budget on the government’s inefficiency, saying that, by March 15, the government managed to disburse only Bt155 billion for investment, instead of Bt600 billion as planned.
Sukanya said that the government deserves to have the budget slashed due to its inefficient disbursement.
She also said that the government’s projection of revenue collection may not be correct, because the government has introduced several tax cuts, such as cut in withholding tax for share trading, an excise tax cut and reduced revenue to be sent to the state coffers by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT).
She noted that, if there is a shortfall in revenue, the government will be required to borrow to meet the deficit, estimated at Bt693 billion, which will drive public debt closer to the limits.
