A lecturer in economics at Thammasat University is urging the government to scale down its defence spending and increase budgets to improve the livelihoods of the poor and pensioners and to stimulate the grass-root economy, in order to restore public trust and confidence, as the debate on the 3.18 trillion baht budget bill for the 2023 fiscal year begins today (Tuesday) in the Lower House.

 

Dr. Theepakorn Jithitikulchai, of the Faculty of Economics, said that the government still has the conventional mindset when preparing the national budget, which gives priority to permanent expenditure and defence spending, with scant attention paid to issues such as welfare for the vulnerable, students and the poor as well as investment.

 

The public welfare budget, he said, accounts for just 2.6% of gross domestic product (GDP) compared to at least 8% in developed countries, while the investment budget amounts to just 15% of all public spending.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-government-urged-to-reduce-defence-budget-to-fund-welfare-projects/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-05-31

 

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1 less Submarine can provide many foot long sub sandwiches to feed the people......

Finally! Someone with common sense and unafraid to speak out. This guy should be PM and maybe real Happiness can be returned to the People.  Pray-hoot and his cronies pander to thier Military buddies, draining the public coffers every year.  Pathetic.

Finally, a voice of reason.

Whut?

In the hub of Chinese Subs?

Dream on!

In 2020 Thailand spent approximately 1.5% of GDP on Defence. Hardly an excessive figure. ????

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Dr. Theepakorn Jithitikulchai, of the Faculty of Economics, said that the government still has the conventional mindset when preparing the national budget, which gives priority to permanent expenditure and defence spending, with scant attention paid to issues such as welfare for the vulnerable, students and the poor as well as investment.

What do they expect from a government taken over by the military and with a general in charge.

Love to know how many Generals, Commanders etc etc there are and how much they draw per year in salaries.

56 minutes ago, Isaan sailor said:

Finally, a voice of reason.

To be silenced shortly.

Unfortunately for the citizens the military Muppets don't give a sod about welfare but want to jangle their meaningless medals in front of their peers and say look at my new toy. It's called a pissing contest.

True but won't happen. This gov in particular doesn't give a flying f%@* about the poor or retired. It'll look after all the gov minions and military, plus the hi so's while keeping the serfs in their place...

"True but won't happen. This gov in particular doesn't give a flying f%@* about the poor or retired. It'll look after all the gov minions and military, plus the hi so's while keeping the serfs in their place."

 

You're talking about the UK, right?

8 hours ago, hotchilli said:

What do they expect from a government taken over by the military and with a general in charge.

Love to know how many Generals, Commanders etc etc there are and how much they draw per year in salaries.

They are not going to make that known. Just as the unelected PM will always keep quiet about how him and his cohorts personal fortunes and off shore accounts are now compared to when they illegally stole the country in 2014.

so they're asking the government, which is the army to reduce funds to the army? like that's gonna happen .. ever!

Edited May 31, 20224 yr by Thunglom

As previously said they don't give a toss about the welfare of there citizens,  but would rather spend on toys for the boys...

16 hours ago, Chris.B said:

In 2020 Thailand spent approximately 1.5% of GDP on Defence. Hardly an excessive figure. ????

 

Well, the submarines without engines or the unarmed F35 fighters spring to mind. How much actually, of those 1.5% of the GDP for defense, really went into defense? Previous years saw such wise investments like i.e. aircraft carriers from Spain. 

It would be interesting to see the entire table of expenditure but, in the context of national security, this as well is most likely, only available to the selected few .........

These common-sensical words are from a minor educational figure seizing his ten minutes of fame like the grinning photo-cops cram into a picture when an opportunity arises.