Parliament, The House of Representatives agrees to reduce the “defence budget”. The opposition criticizes the reduction as being unrealistic while the “Navy” is in crisis, having had its budget for the purchase of frigates cut. Makes the military weak and disheartened Disappointed that the civilian government has not revived the crisis of faith. Raise a psychology project to do IO. Nearly ten billion There are no performance indicators.
House of Representatives meeting In considering the draft bill (Act), budget expenditures Fiscal year 2024, Agenda 2 and 3, which the Special Committee has finished considering. In considering Section 8 regarding the Ministry of Defense budget
Mr. Thakorn Tanthasit, list of MPs Thai Sang Thai Party Discussion on reducing the Ministry of Defense budget There was a total budget proposal of 87,883,290,100, a total reduction of 2,485,096,500, equivalent to 2.8%, remaining at 85,398,193,600 baht, which is called an unrealistic reduction. When combining the budgets of these 3 arm
ies in order to create all new projects 36,231,030,100 which will be binding until the years 68, 69 and 70, projects that are the welfare of people who have urgent needs Upcoming digital wallet projects: What will be done to make these projects happen? In order to respond to the people to receive maximum benefit.
On the other hand, Flight Lieutenant Thanadet Pengsuk, MP for Bangkok, Kao Klai Party, discussed the request to reduce the military budget by 5%, saying that the Ministry of Defense’s budget in 2024 does not answer the government’s concept of joint development at all. But it is a budget that makes the military feel hopeless with a government that avoids using the word reform. In addition to the national crisis that the government has not been able to resolve through this budget arrangement. The Army is not in crisis. But what is in crisis is the Navy. You dare to reduce the budget for purchasing frigates for the Navy. But he closed one eye and let the Black Hawk helicopter fly into Thailand. The fri
gates were purchased to protect more than 1,500 nautical miles of the country’s waters. Instead, you cut him off. The Navy must no longer be a victim of politics.
‘There is no army that is bigger or smaller than anyone else. Every army is necessary. and important in protecting this country But making a budget like this This made many personnel in the army feel slighted. and the feeling of expectation that this civilian government will save the crisis of faith It has to be folded back through budget allocation like this,’ Flight Lieutenant Thanadet said.
While Mr. Ekkarat Udomamnuay, MP of the Kao Klai Party Discussion of the Ministry of Defense budget Some items are not yet necessary, such as a project to spend on information technology, improving LED screens, worth nearly 7 million baht for various ceremonies. By referring to the room that will be renovated, it can still be used. View that the use of the budget should have adequate reasons.
Including the judicial process project, the detention system in t
he military court, worth 12 million baht, which is a videoconferencing control system. If the entire project is carried out, the information found may cost more than 24 million baht, compared to other agencies that use a budget of only nearly 3 million baht. and a project to purchase an electronic signing system of nearly 10 million baht. At the same time, a budget for psychological operations and mass media operations of nearly 10,000 million baht or 9,700 million baht was also raised. Pointing out that the implementation of the said project has no performance indicators.
‘There are people hanging in the camp. He takes care of psychology and takes care of the relationships of the people inside first. And I’m not sure if the budget was used to build the IO or not,’ Mr. Ekarat said.
While Mr. Taophiphob Limchitrak, MP for Bangkok, Kao Klai Party, as the amendment reserved his opinion. Request to cut budget for military capability development project Regarding the operating expenses of information and communi
cation technology, amounting to 104 million baht, another item is the expenses of Mass operation of over 9.7 million baht, raising doubts about whether it was the military’s budget or not. We will see on online media that this is a social question many times. including making clips from influencers or post army PR Recently, the Army launched a project for soldiers to distribute memes on Facebook.
‘I don’t know if it’s a real meme or not. In my area, they call it the quote Friends Life’s Better with You, so I wonder if the military’s understanding of public relations is real or not. Just memes and quotes can’t be separated.’
Mr. Jirat Thongsuwan, Chachoengsao MP, Kao Klai Party, discussed that the public relations budget to create an image, amounting to 50-60 million baht, was clearly announced as doing IO, other agencies did not agree to do it. Did the doctor come to do this? There must be a documentary on Thai Armed Forces Day every year. It can’t be repeated. I don’t know how it’s different. Creating a go
od image is strange. There is also the creation of honor for oneself, such as marching in a military parade. Rehearsal for the ceremony in front of the Chaloemphon flag
‘The feet must land together. If not posted at the same time What will the stability in this country be like? Parading in cars, in the sky, in the water, in every dimension, really,’ Mr. Jirat said.
Mr. Jirat gave an example of the Wai Khru Muay Thai event held in Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. Why was it done? The budget had to use the government budget. There is also the matter of compensation for a staff vehicle of 565 million baht. This agency is a special agency. I have to buy everything. I have to buy military equipment. Buy everything. Last year I also bought Sangkang powder.
Mr. Jirat also said that the army’s budget is used like grandma’s to buy grandma’s snacks, build water supply and electricity, and sell them internally, moving back and forth. Hopefully the Ministry of Defense will adjust its way of thinking. Bu
dgeting does not reflect the military’s approach to the people.
Until finally, the meeting voted with 448 votes, agreeing that there should be a reduction. and agreed with the commission’s reduction, 284 votes, disapproved, 163 votes.
Source: Thai News Agency