Bureau of Budget: EC requests 230 million baht in additional budget for community-based volunteers

[rooster59]

Bureau of Budget: EC requests 230 million baht in additional budget for community-based volunteers

Kitti Cheevasittiyanon

BANGKOK, 16 June 2016 (NNT) - The Election Commission has requested additional budget from the Bureau of the Budget for community-based volunteers. However, further allocation needs Cabinet approval.

The Director of the Bureau of the Budget, Somsak Chotrattanasiri said on Wednesday that the EC had requested a budget of 230 million baht for community and village-based volunteers, who will help explain key content of the draft charter to the people, all around the country.

Mr. Somsak said that the requested budget is now under consideration by the Cabinet as the new amount belongs to the central budget for the 2016 fiscal year, which was already approved by the National Legislative Assembly.

He added that a total of 2.73 trillion baht has been planned for the 2017 fiscal budget and the amount will be divided amongst the central budget, the expenditure budget for ministries and various offices, the integrated expenditure budget, the local expenditure budget and the budget for public debt management.

Mr. Somsak went on to say that next year's budget will focus more on the development and elevation of Thailand’s potential through the implementation of various infrastructure projects.

-- NNT 2016-06-19

[thesetat2013]

I'm sorry but I don't understand why they would need a budget for volunteers? When you volunteer you are not being paid.

[Winniedapu]

I'm sorry but I don't understand why they would need a budget for volunteers? When you volunteer you are not being paid.

They have to be programmed. And the commissioners need their cut.

W

[mtls2005]

Could you imagine the outrage if the other side had ever done such a thing? The yellow horde would have an apoplectic fit blowing their whistles.

Oh well, maybe this cash infusion will stimulate the economy?

[maoro2013]

It's all a bit late in the scheme of things.

Doesn't sound like the general populace will know anything much by the time the referendum comes around.

[Winniedapu]

Could you imagine the outrage if the other side had ever done such a thing? The yellow horde would have an apoplectic fit blowing their whistles.

Oh well, maybe this cash infusion will stimulate the economy?

Well, it will certainly stimulate *someone's* economy...

W

[JAG]

I'm sorry but I don't understand why they would need a budget for volunteers? When you volunteer you are not being paid.

They have to be programmed. And the commissioners need their cut.

W

Come come now "Winnie", democracy does not come cheap you know. There will be all sorts of costs to be met, the leaders will need to block book "resorts" so that they can plan and brief in appropriate surroundings, they will need natty new zip up jackets with impressive crests on the left breast, no doubt some new IPads or Laptops, together with the latest phones will be vital to their work. There will be all sorts of "co-incidental expenses" connected - often informally - with their work, and these will need to be reacted to on an "ad hoc basis", Finally they will need to hire accountants with flair, a sense of adventure and a keen sense of humour to prepare the final accounts, to demonstrate that not a single Baht was wasted. The last is particularly important in this new era of zero tolerance for any sort of corruption.

You really must try and control your "inner Eyore" you know!

.

[Srikcir]

the new amount belongs to the central budget for the 2016 fiscal year

Which Prayut has overdrawn by 500 billion baht. Part of that deficit was due to a 780 million baht special budget for TAT in February 2016 to stimulate domestic tourism during the low season. So the 230 million baht will require more government debt in the form of another treasury bond.

[JAG]

the new amount belongs to the central budget for the 2016 fiscal year

Which Prayut has overdrawn by 500 billion baht. Part of that deficit was due to a 780 million baht special budget for TAT in February 2016 to stimulate domestic tourism during the low season. So the 230 million baht will require more government debt in the form of another treasury bond.

How strange that someone who was able to become so wealthy by careful management and investment of his military salary finds it so difficult to control government expenditure now he has taken the reins of the country!

[Winniedapu]

I'm sorry but I don't understand why they would need a budget for volunteers? When you volunteer you are not being paid.

They have to be programmed. And the commissioners need their cut.

W

Come come now "Winnie", democracy does not come cheap you know. There will be all sorts of costs to be met, the leaders will need to block book "resorts" so that they can plan and brief in appropriate surroundings, they will need natty new zip up jackets with impressive crests on the left breast, no doubt some new IPads or Laptops, together with the latest phones will be vital to their work. There will be all sorts of "co-incidental expenses" connected - often informally - with their work, and these will need to be reacted to on an "ad hoc basis", Finally they will need to hire accountants with flair, a sense of adventure and a keen sense of humour to prepare the final accounts, to demonstrate that not a single Baht was wasted. The last is particularly important in this new era of zero tolerance for any sort of corruption.

You really must try and control your "inner Eyore" you know!

.

You're right. I'm sorry. I can't imagine what I must have been thinking...

W

[smutcakes]

Completely withstanding the rights and wrongs of the last failed election, as far as I am aware the EC was provided with the budget of 3 billion baht to hold the election. I would dearly dearly love to see the books of how that was spent, and where any remaining went.... It would be fascinating.

[Winniedapu]

the new amount belongs to the central budget for the 2016 fiscal year

Which Prayut has overdrawn by 500 billion baht. Part of that deficit was due to a 780 million baht special budget for TAT in February 2016 to stimulate domestic tourism during the low season. So the 230 million baht will require more government debt in the form of another treasury bond.

How strange that someone who was able to become so wealthy by careful management and investment of his military salary finds it so difficult to control government expenditure now he has taken the reins of the country!

Sufficiency economy, that's the key. Prayuth needs to heed His Majesty the King's teachings more closely. They aren't only for other people you know, Grumpy!

This one great man has made Thailand everything it is today.

Winnie