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Chatchart Explains 5B Surplus, Acknowledges Funds Are Accumulated, Needs More

Chatchart Explains 5B Surplus, Acknowledges Funds Are Accumulated, Needs More

Khaosod•Politics•7d ago

Reader Briefing

Bangkok Governor Chatchart Sittipunt confirmed a 5 billion baht budget surplus for 2025, acknowledging previous statements about accumulated funds and the need for further revenue generation.

  • •Bangkok Governor Chatchart Sittipunt addressed a budget surplus of over 5 billion baht for the fiscal year 2025.
  • •The surplus is partly due to accumulated funds and efforts to increase revenue while controlling expenses.
  • •The funds are earmarked for emergencies and past debts, including a significant amount for the BTS system.

Overview

  • •Chatchart Sittipunt stated that Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) budgets are set to be balanced, with revenue matching expenditures.
  • •For the 2025 fiscal year, BMA achieved a budget surplus exceeding 5,000 million baht.
  • •The surplus is generated by earning more revenue than projected and saving on expenses, rather than borrowing.
  • •Chatchart Sittipunt mentioned that in the past, the BMA had both budget surpluses and deficits, with COVID-19 impacting revenue.
  • •A significant portion of accumulated funds, continuing from decades prior, is allocated to pay approximately 60,000 million baht for the BTS debt.
  • •Chatchart Sittipunt emphasized the effort to maintain sufficient funds for emergency situations if current reserves are depleted.
  • •Chatchart Sittipunt acknowledged that former Bangkok Deputy Governor Pongsakorn Kuanmuang was correct in stating that BMA was using accumulated funds from past administrations, including during the era of Pol. Gen. Aswin Kwanmuang, to pay the BTS debt.
  • •Chatchart Sittipunt has instructed the administration to maximize revenue, minimize expenses, and procure services at the lowest possible bidding prices to create a financial gap for future needs.

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Key Quotes

Earth Pongsakorn
"Was correct, there are accumulated funds, but revenue needs to be increased."
พูดถูกแล้ว มีเงินสะสมมา แต่ต้องหารายได้เพิ่ม
Chatchart Sittipunt
"We will not borrow debt, but will earn more revenue than projected and reduce expenses, creating a surplus."
เราจะไม่กู้หนี้ แต่จะหารายได้ให้มากกว่าที่คาดการณ์ไว้และประหยัดค่าใช้จ่ายลงก็จะเกิดส่วนต่างขึ้น
Chatchart Sittipunt
"What we are trying to do is have as much money remaining as possible because we know there is money to pay the BTS debt."
สิ่งที่เราพยายามคือให้มีเงินเหลือมากที่สุด เพราะเรารู้ว่ามีเงินที่ต้องเอาไปจ่ายหนี้บีทีเอส
Chatchart Sittipunt
"He is correct."
เขาพูดถูกต้องแล้ว

Key Entities

Person

Chatchart Sittipunt(ชัชชาติ สิทธิพันธุ์)ℹ️
Governor of Bangkok (ผู้ว่าฯ กทม.) who is explaining the city's budget surplus.
Earth Pongsakorn(เอิร์ธ พงศกร)ℹ️
Former spokesperson for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (formerโฆษก กทม.) and spokesperson for the Democrat Party (โฆษกพรรคประชาธิปัตย์), whose previous statement about accumulated funds is acknowledged by the Governor.
Pol. Gen. Aswin Kwanmuang(พล.ต.อ.อัศวิน ขวัญเมือง)ℹ️
Former Governor of Bangkok whose administration's accumulated funds are mentioned as being used for BTS debt.

Organization

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration(กทม.)ℹ️
The governing body of Bangkok, discussing its budget and financial reserves.