120-billion baht defence budget sails through the House after 3-hour debate

 

File photo

 

The Thai Government’s proposed 120 billion baht (~US$ 3.94Bn) defence budget for 2020 fiscal year sailed through its second and third readings in the House of Representatives late Wednesday night, after about three hours of debate. MPs from both sides of the House called for cuts in the amount of tax payer’s money being handed to the military.

 

The defence budget, which is stipulated in Section 8 of the budget bill, was passed by 247 votes to 195, with 11 abstentions. The debate began at about 8.40pm, with Mr. Ruangkrai Likitwattana, a member of the House scrutiny committee representing the Pheu Thai party, proposing a 100% cut in the 120 billion baht funding. He claimed that the Defence Ministry Regulations Act B.E. 2551 (2008) was endorsed by the now defunct National Legislative Assembly by only 85 votes, constituting just one-third of all the NLA votes.

 

Citing a comment from the country’s auditor-general, that there were accounting errors in the disbursement of the military budget for the 2019 fiscal year, Ruangkrai said he wondered how the defence budget for 2020 fiscal year could have been approved.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/120-billion-baht-defence-budget-sails-through-the-house-after-3-hour-debate/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2020-01-09

Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking Thailand news and visa info

Defence against .. well it isn't external threats, so must be for internal threats. Plenty of them, like billionaire car parts people.

It took three hours to list all of the recipients.

Thailand is not at war, he said, adding that more funds should be allocated for education, instead of defence.

 

 

The very last thing this government wants is an educated population !

They wouldn't be in power now, if the people had received decent education. 

Edited January 9, 20206 yr by Thaiwrath

16 minutes ago, canuckamuck said:

It took three hours to list all of the recipients.

Yes....hmmm..

 

 

15 minutes ago, Thaiwrath said:

Thailand is not at war, he said, adding that more funds should be allocated for education, instead of defence.

 

 

The very last thing this government wants is an educated population !

They wouldn't be in power now, if the people had received decent education. 

More money into this education system wouldn’t change anything.

 

Just nicer looking buildings and a bigger chunk of money into one man’s pocket.

They are afraid us Farang are going to steal all the islands and the women

1 minute ago, cyril sneer said:

More money into this education system wouldn’t change anything.

 

Just nicer looking buildings and a bigger chunk of money into one man’s pocket.

That is true...just look at those poor divils up in Isaan who sunk billions into the place without any discernible result.

 

It is the same thing as it all went (ultimately) into someone else's pocket.

45 minutes ago, webfact said:

Citing a comment from the country’s auditor-general, that there were accounting errors in the disbursement of the military budget for the 2019 fiscal year, Ruangkrai said he wondered how the defence budget for 2020 fiscal year could have been approved.

if he wonders so do I......2019 errors in military budget.... maybe some of Prayut's last minute gang group arrivals,  which were not accounted for at the start of the year... the thick envelopes

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Ruangkrai said he wondered how the defence budget for 2020 fiscal year could have been approved.

By unaccountable people who don't care.  When is the next no confidence vote?

..budget for 2020 fiscal year 'sailed' through...

 

Did it sail through on a Chinese submarine or an Aircraft carrier!!!! ????????????????????????

2 hours ago, cyril sneer said:

More money into this education system wouldn’t change anything.

 

Just nicer looking buildings and a bigger chunk of money into one man’s pocket.

water management might be more of a benefit now there is a drought crisis, wait a few months and it will be a flood crisis.

1.5% of GDP, lowest in the region and well below the global standard for these things.

We will see how that sits with the Thai people in a few months when most of the country runs out of water.

Maybe they should be thinking ahead,increase dam capacity to cope with the ever expanding building infrastructure and people.

I suppose on the other hand if the farmers can’t grow crops,we shouldn’t  have a burning season LOL.

 

The ChiComs approved of today’s budget passage.

Cheap really, 120 years of Indian tourists should pay for that

33 minutes ago, saengd said:

1.5% of GDP, lowest in the region and well below the global standard for these things.

Thats  ok then

As a % of GDP and per capita, it seems pretty much line.

 

So ignoring all the Cha Cha hype, I don't really see anything wrong with it.

2 minutes ago, DLock said:

As a % of GDP and per capita, it seems pretty much line.

 

So ignoring all the Cha Cha hype, I don't really see anything wrong with it.

Maybe not the amount itself, but what is it going to be used for and how big a slice will be siphoned to the good old boys club.

A chorus of we all live in a yellow submarine was sung by a glorious PM ????

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Citing a comment from the country’s auditor-general, that there were accounting errors in the disbursement of the military budget for the 2019 fiscal year

Must be another honest mistake.

regards Worgeordie

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

was passed by 247 votes to 195

Ah, the power of 247 Generals

25 minutes ago, Chazar said:

Thats  ok then

Sure it is! It's only not OK for those people who like to rail every time the words military spending and military budget are spoken.

Thais will be seeing a lot of that defense expense anytime soon in action ........... 

 

4 hours ago, Thaiwrath said:

Thailand is not at war, he said, adding that more funds should be allocated for education, instead of defence.

 

 

The very last thing this government wants is an educated population !

They wouldn't be in power now, if the people had received decent education. 

Education is the enemy of the enemy of the people.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The Thai Government’s proposed 120 billion baht (~US$ 3.94Bn) defence budget for 2020 fiscal year sailed through its second and third readings i

While some can't get enough water for their daily domestic or employment needs?

A sad day for Thailand.

 

3 hours ago, DrTuner said:

Maybe not the amount itself, but what is it going to be used for and how big a slice will be siphoned to the good old boys club.

 

That, I agree with.

This christmas gift is a bit late, nevertheless let the army wifes go on another shopping spree.

What a surpride !!!

 

Forget about social care, the very poor and needy, human rights, polution, unemployment, education etc... because Thailand is under threat by poor farang who over stay or agression from other nations.

 

T.I.T run by the military junta. Paradise....

How many MPs were still awake at 8.40pm when it got pushed through ?? 247-195 !! Really...