BMA Budget Debate: 76 Billion Surplus Claimed, Not 94 Million

Matichon•Politics•7d ago

Reader Briefing

Former BMA spokesman Phongsakorn Kwanmuang refutes claims that past administrations left only 94 million baht, asserting a surplus of 76 billion baht was passed on.

•Phongsakorn Kwanmuang, Spokesperson for the Democrat Party and former BMA Spokesperson, clarified Bangkok's financial status.
•He stated that the BMA had a surplus of approximately 76 billion baht, not the previously alleged 94 million baht.
•Kwanmuang detailed efforts made during Governor Aswin Khwanmuang's tenure to address BTS debt and manage the BMA's finances amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Overview

•Phongsakorn Kwanmuang stated that Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's budget is in surplus every year. This clarification was made in order to address public discourse about the BMA's financial status.
•The statements address claims regarding the financial status of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration during the tenure of former Governor Pol. Gen. Aswin Khwanmuang.
•The BMA's budget showed surpluses each year: 5406 in B.E. 2017, 14193 in B.E. 2018, 8134 in B.E. 2019, 4586 in B.E. 2020, 4551 in B.E. 2021, and 10952 in B.E. 2022, resulting in accumulated funds.
•During B.E. 2019-2022, Bangkok faced the COVID-19 crisis, leading to a 90% reduction in property taxes for two years, significantly impacting BMA revenue.
•Phongsakorn Kwanmuang declared that the total accumulated funds from the previous administration were approximately 76 billion baht, intended for civil servant pensions, emergency reserves, and critical expenditures.
•The previous administration attempted to use accumulated funds and draft ordinances to repay BTS debt, but these were not approved by the BMA Council due to concerns about financial burden, resulting in stalled debt resolution.
•The current administration and BMA Council approved the use of 76 billion baht in accumulated funds to pay approximately 23 billion baht for system (E&M) and over 40 billion baht for operation and maintenance (O&M) debts.
•Following the recent debt payments, approximately 50-60 billion baht in debt remains for the BTS project, with current accumulated funds estimated in the billions.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Phongsakorn Kwanmuang

"“Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's budget is in surplus every year - efforts to pay BTS debt - 76 billion baht left, not 94 million."

“งบประมาณของกรุงเทพมหานคร เกินดุลทุกปี-ความพยายามชำระหนี้ BTS-เงินเหลือไว้ให้ 76,000ล้าน ไม่ใช่ 94 ล้าน

Phongsakorn Kwanmuang

"“Total accumulated funds” of BMA handed over by the previous administration was approximately 76 billion baht."

“บัญชีเงินสะสมรวม” ของ กทม. ที่ผู้บริหารชุดเก่าส่งต่อให้นั้น สูงถึงประมาณ 76,000 ล้านบาท

Key Entities

Person

Earth Phongsakorn(เอิร์ธ พงศกร)

Spokesperson for the Democrat Party and former spokesperson for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration who clarified the BMA's financial situation.

Governor Aswin(ผู้ว่าฯ อัศวิน)

Former Governor of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration during whose tenure the financial matters discussed in the article occurred.

Pol. Gen. Aswin Khwanmuang(พล.ต.อ. อัศวิน ขวัญเมือง)

Former Governor of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration whose financial management is being defended.

Organization

BMA(กทม.)ℹ️

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the subject of the financial discussion.

Democrat Party(พรรคประชาธิปัตย์)ℹ️

The political party to which Phongsakorn Kwanmuang belongs.

BMA Council(สภา กทม.)

The legislative body of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, which had to approve financial proposals.