Budget Debate To Focus On Public Debt: Abhisit

[webfact]

2013 BUDGET BILL

Budget debate to focus on public debt: Abhisit

The Nation

File photo : Abhisit

BANGKOK: -- Deliberations on the final passage of the 2013 Budget Bill started on Wednesday with the Democrat leader saying the opposition would be focusing on two issues - questionable borrowing plans and lack of transparency in spending during the three-day budget debate on spending plans for Bt2.44 trillion.

"I am worried about flawed fiscal management," Abhisit Vejjajiva said.

He was speaking before entering the House chamber to kickstart the deliberations on the budget bill.

He said today's debate would point out such budgetary flaws as the rising budget deficit and the plan to take out additional public loans in order to finance the Bt350 billion flood prevention scheme and the rice pledging scheme.

The government has failed to ensure transparent spending plans, particularly for populist policies like the intervention on paddy price, he said.

He also said he was puzzled as to why the government wanted to borrow additional funds for the flood scheme as it had disbursed less than five per cent of the Bt350 trillion earmarked for the scheme.

House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont said the debate will last 15 hours each day, starting in the morning and ending around midnight. Some 193 MPs have lined up to speak on the floor and each will be allotted 10 minutes.

Of the 193, 112 are the Democrats, followed by 12 from Bhum Jai Thai Party and two from Rak Prathet Thai Party.

From the coalition bench, 66 Pheu Thai MPs and one Chart Thai Pattana MP have reserved their right to speak.

PM's Office Minister Woravat Auapinyakul said the House committee in charge of vetting the 2013 Budget would be responsible for rebutting the opposition, hinting that the prime minister would not be taking part in the debate.

-- The Nation 2012-08-15

[Phatcharanan]

"PM's Office Minister Woravat Auapinyakul said the House committee in charge of vetting the 2013 Budget would be responsible for rebutting the opposition, hinting that the prime minister would not be taking part in the debate"

What a big surprise. A clueless PM.

[rubl]

"PM's Office Minister Woravat Auapinyakul said the House committee in charge of vetting the 2013 Budget would be responsible for rebutting the opposition, hinting that the prime minister would not be taking part in the debate"

What a big surprise. A clueless PM.

No surprise for those who pay attention. A few days ago it was already anounced that the PM had some urgent business to attent to. Three days of "Canal Dredging Inspection" fun in Bangkok. Mind you, assuming that doesn't continue into the night and seeing the debate will last till mid-night every day, the PM could just pop-in for a moment, photo-op, or just waving/smiling. To show her deep and sincere concern

[ramrod711]

He also said he was puzzled as to why the government wanted to borrow additional funds for the flood scheme as it had disbursed less than five per cent of the Bt350 trillion earmarked for the scheme.

What possible honest answer can there be to this question?

[rubl]

He also said he was puzzled as to why the government wanted to borrow additional funds for the flood scheme as it had disbursed less than five per cent of the Bt350 trillion earmarked for the scheme.

What possible honest answer can there be to this question?

Shouldn't that be THB 350 billion ?

[kimamey]

"PM's Office Minister Woravat Auapinyakul said the House committee in charge of vetting the 2013 Budget would be responsible for rebutting the opposition, hinting that the prime minister would not be taking part in the debate"

What a big surprise. A clueless PM.

No surprise for those who pay attention. A few days ago it was already anounced that the PM had some urgent business to attent to. Three days of "Canal Dredging Inspection" fun in Bangkok. Mind you, assuming that doesn't continue into the night and seeing the debate will last till mid-night every day, the PM could just pop-in for a moment, photo-op, or just waving/smiling. To show her deep and sincere concern

It's odd that Woravat Auapinyakul is only hinting the PM won't be there. Maybe she will pop in but I doubt she will join the debate although it would be interesting if she did. Maybe the office of prime minister is different in Thailand than most other countries as I don't think she'd qualify as PM with her record. I have to admit I am going by what I hear on Thaivisa and reports from the Nation. There are those that suggest that the Nation and "the other paper" are biased against the current government but then again they never seem to mention any other source or disagree that she doesn't debate just that she doesn't need to.

Anyway it will be good to get back to some more traditional parliamentary debate. A good time for Abhisit to show his leadership.

Edited August 15, 2012 by kimamey

[steenasger]

He also said he was puzzled as to why the government wanted to borrow additional funds for the flood scheme as it had disbursed less than five per cent of the Bt350 trillion earmarked for the scheme.

What possible honest answer can there be to this question?

Shouldn't that be THB 350 billion ?

You are right, THB 350 billion (not trillion)

[khunken]

Surely we should give Yingluck some credit. She hasn't declared that all ministries have passed muster before the debate has started, which is what her bro was fond of doing.

[MILT]

What does the word "fake" really mean?

"Faking it" seems to be an art form.

I wonder will this censor debate that's coming up require the PM's attendance?

If so would that debate be more like a comedy roast?

[kimamey]

Surely we should give Yingluck some credit. She hasn't declared that all ministries have passed muster before the debate has started, which is what her bro was fond of doing.

She did however say everyone should read the reconciliation drafts before commenting on them. She then said she thought they were all OK even though she hadn't read them herself. Just saying give her time.

[Ricardo]

"PM's Office Minister Woravat Auapinyakul said the House committee in charge of vetting the 2013 Budget would be responsible for rebutting the opposition, hinting that the prime minister would not be taking part in the debate"

What a big surprise. A clueless PM.

But what would PM-Yingluck be able to contribute, apart from the latest news from Sydney/Austria, or President Sarkozy's advice on the best places to shop in Paris ?

The PM's continuing failure to lead her party, or the government in a major parliamentary debate, betrays a failure to understand democracy and her own supposed role in the government, perhaps a trait which runs in the family ?

A missed opportunity ... now which way to the photographers ?

[ramrod711]

He also said he was puzzled as to why the government wanted to borrow additional funds for the flood scheme as it had disbursed less than five per cent of the Bt350 trillion earmarked for the scheme.

What possible honest answer can there be to this question?

Shouldn't that be THB 350 billion ?

You are right, THB 350 billion (not trillion)

The question is still, if you have only spent 5% of the money you budgeted, why do you need more?

[ratcatcher]

[<snip>

No surprise for those who pay attention. A few days ago it was already anounced that the PM had some urgent business to attent to. Three days of "Canal Dredging Inspection" fun in Bangkok. Mind you, assuming that doesn't continue into the night and seeing the debate will last till mid-night every day, the PM could just pop-in for a moment, photo-op, or just waving/smiling. To show her deep and sincere concern

Now let me see there is a budget debate which the democrats will be focussing on public debt. There will be 112 "democrat" party mp's (maybe including the opposition party leader) plus a few others chucking shi&e.................. and the PTP are going to leave it to the PM. Are you stupid?

The PTP have a House committee in charge of vetting the 2013 Budget and guess who they are getting to front the debate, that's right, the House committee in charge of vetting the 2013 Budget !

What did you expect, the cleaning ladies?

Let's put the shoe on the other foot shall we, if Abhisit is that clever that he knows all about huge budget deficits (well actually he does, he made one all by himself, maybe a few friends helped, in his last job) why does he need 112 mp's to talk on his behalf?

I think most here would agree that's a fair comment.

The issue here seems to be the continued absence of the Prime Minister in the house to the degree that it comes as a shock if she actually does participate in a meaningful way in parliamentary debate. .

I realize that she is not equipped to carry out a thrust and parry grilling with the likes of Korn and Abhisit, she's just not had the experience, fair enough.

There are mass debaters in her party who can carry the load so to speak. (Chalerm, Yongyuth, Plodprasop, etc)

What would be good is if she showed some backbone and answered questions honestly instead of lamely saying something like "I haven't heard about that item" "or seen that paper yet", or "no comment na ka"

She is the "leader" of the land, not the Parliamentary Mascot.

[nikkoid66]

Thaksin is best friend of Dick Sheney and part of the same clique. His sister uses the same tactics to reduce Thailand to slavery by the debt. The more debt, the more money for the banks and for them. And when they people will be ruined, they will raid on their properties and their land. Thailand will be theirs the same as America is now owned by corporates.

End of the story. Everything is very simple.

For the ones who complain about raising price, it is basic economy. The more debt, the more inflation. The more Thaksin sister borrow to the banks, the more the prices go up... ask to the people in Greece.

Edited August 15, 2012 by nikkoid66

[metisdead]

An inflammatory post has been removed as well as the replies.

[Mosha]

Monday mornings convo

Yingluck "Anything happen last week?"

Woravat "Nothing to bother that pretty head of yours, Yo nice boots"

[renaissanc]

He also said he was puzzled as to why the government wanted to borrow additional funds for the flood scheme as it had disbursed less than five per cent of the Bt350 trillion earmarked for the scheme.

What possible honest answer can there be to this question?

Shouldn't that be THB 350 billion ?

You are right, THB 350 billion (not trillion)

The question is still, if you have only spent 5% of the money you budgeted, why do you need more?

A respectable politician would not wish to be seen dead without at least 3 luxury cars, a second home in a national forest, 1,000 hectares of land (preferably in forests), and offshore accounts around the world. That's why they need more money.

[Nickymaster]

Thaksin is best friend of Dick Sheney and part of the same clique. His sister uses the same tactics to reduce Thailand to slavery by the debt. The more debt, the more money for the banks and for them. And when they people will be ruined, they will raid on their properties and their land. Thailand will be theirs the same as America is now owned by corporates.

End of the story. Everything is very simple.

For the ones who complain about raising price, it is basic economy. The more debt, the more inflation. The more Thaksin sister borrow to the banks, the more the prices go up... ask to the people in Greece.

Spot on!

[SuneeTH]

Why must the PM be in a public debate?

This is a public debate, not a PM's debate.

[Reasonableman]

Why must the PM be in a public debate?

This is a public debate, not a PM's debate.

So how would the public be able to divine which debate is a PM's debate, and which is not? What are the criteria, pray tell?

Actaully, it seems to be "Budget Debate To Focus On _Public Debt_", not "public debate". They are not the same thing, but perhaps you knew that already.

Edited August 16, 2012 by Reasonableman

[waza]

BANGKOK – Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has assured the transparency of her Pheu Thai Party-led government’s 2013 budget plan with a reduced deficit, reports Thai news Agency (TNA)........For state revenues in the 2013 fiscal year, Premier Yingluck revealed that it would mainly come from Thai exports, tourism and the government’s economic stimulus measures earlier reported to the Parliament. – BERNAMA http://mynewshub.my/eng/2012/08/thai-pm-assures-transparency-of-2013-budget/

Pity she isnt there to ensure her assurances

[rubl]

For state revenues in the 2013 fiscal year, Premier Yingluck revealed that it would mainly come from Thai exports, tourism and the government's economic stimulus measures earlier reported to the Parliament.

Currently exports down, Travel business sentiment slightly below average in Q3/2012, only the THB 700 billion in Price Pledging and Water Management might remain. A bit shaky it seems

[dcutman]

He also said he was puzzled as to why the government wanted to borrow additional funds for the flood scheme as it had disbursed less than five per cent of the Bt350 trillion earmarked for the scheme.

What possible honest answer can there be to this question?

Shouldn't that be THB 350 billion ?

You are right, THB 350 billion (not trillion)

The question is still, if you have only spent 5% of the money you budgeted, why do you need more?

Just in case we might to start some thing for real? Or double the price for rice if we dont get flooded this year. WE will all get rich all over again.

[ratcatcher]

Why must the PM be in a public debate?

This is a public debate, not a PM's debate.

Actually it's more along the lines of Parliamentary debate than public debate.

It is normal procedure for the Prime Minister and her party to mass debate with the opposition on the floor of the house. I believe this is usually televised but not considered public debate.

If the P.M. wanted a private debate, she would use a room away from the cameras.

[Ricardo]

Bit hard to debate with the Opposition, if you're not actually there, isn't it ?

Perhaps PTP's getting 48.4% of the vote means, not having to respect the institutions of the country, or principles of democracy ?

[SuneeTH]

Why must the PM be in a public debate?

This is a public debate, not a PM's debate.

So how would the public be able to divine which debate is a PM's debate, and which is not? What are the criteria, pray tell?

Actaully, it seems to be "Budget Debate To Focus On _Public Debt_", not "public debate". They are not the same thing, but perhaps you knew that already.

In US there is a President debate.

If this is a PM debate and she is not there, she should be fire. But this is not is PM debate.

She is not even the party leader. The party leader is the guy with white hair.

[Ricardo]

Why must the PM be in a public debate?

This is a public debate, not a PM's debate.

So how would the public be able to divine which debate is a PM's debate, and which is not? What are the criteria, pray tell?

Actaully, it seems to be "Budget Debate To Focus On _Public Debt_", not "public debate". They are not the same thing, but perhaps you knew that already.

In US there is a President debate.

If this is a PM debate and she is not there, she should be fire. But this is not is PM debate.

She is not even the party leader. The party leader is the guy with white hair.

This is a debate on her government's spending-plans for 2013, she is allegedly the Prime Minister and leader of her coalition-government, and she should therefore be present in Parliament for one of the key debates of the political year, unless she has a hair-appointment.

[Noistar]

[<snip>

No surprise for those who pay attention. A few days ago it was already anounced that the PM had some urgent business to attent to. Three days of "Canal Dredging Inspection" fun in Bangkok. Mind you, assuming that doesn't continue into the night and seeing the debate will last till mid-night every day, the PM could just pop-in for a moment, photo-op, or just waving/smiling. To show her deep and sincere concern

Now let me see there is a budget debate which the democrats will be focussing on public debt. There will be 112 "democrat" party mp's (maybe including the opposition party leader) plus a few others chucking shi&e.................. and the PTP are going to leave it to the PM. Are you stupid?

The PTP have a House committee in charge of vetting the 2013 Budget and guess who they are getting to front the debate, that's right, the House committee in charge of vetting the 2013 Budget !

What did you expect, the cleaning ladies?

Let's put the shoe on the other foot shall we, if Abhisit is that clever that he knows all about huge budget deficits (well actually he does, he made one all by himself, maybe a few friends helped, in his last job) why does he need 112 mp's to talk on his behalf?

Just to clarify - a 'democrat' is someone who supports democratic principles. Hopefully this is true of all the MPs in the Thai Parliament. Abhisit is a 'Democrat' - ie a member of the Democrat Party.

I don't think there was any hint of anyone believing the PTP should leave it to the PM. 

However, her presence would indicate at least a vague interest in the performance and policies of HER Government, as well as a hint that she has Thailand's best interests at the forefront.

I note your " (maybe including the opposition party leader)". Let's not forget that Abhisit has a track record of attending and participating in Parliamentary debates. Whether you like  him, agree with him, worry if he avoided the draft or blame him for the 2010 issues, it is a fact that he is performing his current role of Opposition leader responsibly.

One could contrast that with the leader of the ruling party.

I realise 'now' is a difficult concept for some posters. Harping back to the past is always a useful distraction.

Edited August 17, 2012 by Noistar

[Ricardo]

However, her presence would indicate at least a vague interest in the performance and policies of HER Government, as well as a hint that she has Thailand's best interests at the forefront.

The fragrant Ms Yingluck might learn something about her government's policies and performance-to-date, which she had not previously known, constructive criticism by the Opposition-parties can sometimes be helpful in a democracy. And former-PM Abhisit does seem to be performing the role of leader-of-the-Opposition in a responsible & constructive way.

She has previously stated that she is relatively-inexperienced in politics, this debate might be a helpful learning-experience, for her ?

But she does need to attend, and hopefully participate in order to benefit, it cannot all be delegated to DPM-Super-Chalerm or reported-back to her in edited/abbreviated summaries by flunkies.