thailandedition
"Chattchart" Denies Claiming Credit, BTS Debt Paid with Savings

"Chattchart" Denies Claiming Credit, BTS Debt Paid with Savings

Thairath•Politics•2d ago

Reader Briefing

Bangkok Governor Chattchart Sittipunt clarifies that BTS debt payments are being made from accumulated savings, not current budgets, emphasizing efficient financial management.

  • •Bangkok Governor Chattchart Sittipunt addressed the city's annual budget surplus of over 5,000 million baht for the fiscal year 2025.
  • •The surplus is a result of conservative budgeting, where estimated revenue is set equal to expenditure, with any overages from higher-than-expected revenue or cost savings channeled into reserves.
  • •These accumulated savings are being used to pay off a debt of over 60,000 million baht owed to BTS, a debt that has been building for decades and is not covered by the regular budget.
  • •The Governor stressed that this is not a personal achievement but a continuation of prudent financial management to ensure funds are available for emergencies.
  • •He acknowledged that past administrations also managed budgets with surpluses and deficits.

Overview

  • •The fiscal year 2025 budget for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration shows a surplus of over 5,000 million baht.
  • •Bangkok Metropolitan Administration budgets are set conservatively, with estimated revenue equaling expenditure, leading to potential surpluses.
  • •Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is utilizing accumulated savings to pay off a debt exceeding 60,000 million baht to BTS.
  • •The debt to BTS has been accruing over several decades and is not funded by the regular annual budget.
  • •Governor Chattchart Sittipunt stated that he is not claiming credit for the current budget surplus, as such situations have occurred historically.
  • •Governor Chattchart Sittipunt emphasized the importance of efficient financial management to ensure funds are available for future emergencies.
  • •The current management is working to maintain significant reserves, as past deficits could leave future administrations without emergency funds.
  • •Governor Chattchart Sittipunt confirmed that the payment of BTS debt using accumulated funds aligns with previous administrations' practices.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Read on Thairath (Thai Version)Read on Thairath (English Version)

Source: Thairath (Original)

Key Quotes

ชัชชาติ สิทธิพันธุ์
"We used over 60,000 million baht to pay. In the future, if this money runs out, new administrators will have no funds for emergencies, so we try to manage as efficiently as possible."
เรานำไปจ่ายกว่า 60,000 ล้านบาท ในอนาคตหากเงินตรงนี้หมดไป ผู้บริหารชุดใหม่เข้ามา ก็จะไม่มีเงินไว้สำหรับกรณีฉุกเฉิน จึงพยายามที่จะบริหารให้มีประสิทธิภาพมากที่สุด
ชัชชาติ สิทธิพันธุ์
"I'm not claiming that we did it, but in the past, there have been both surplus and deficit budgets."
ไม่ได้เคลมว่าเราทำ แต่ในอดีตก็มีงบประมาณทั้งบวกทั้งลบ
ชัชชาติ สิทธิพันธุ์
"He is correct."
เขาพูดถูกต้องแล้ว

Key Entities

Person

Chattchart Sittipunt(ชัชชาติ)ℹ️
Governor of Bangkok who clarified financial matters regarding BTS debt payments.
Pol. Gen. Aswin Kwanmuang(พล.ต.อ. อัศวิน ขวัญเมือง)
Former Governor of Bangkok whose administration was mentioned in relation to the use of accumulated funds for BTS debt.

Organization

BTS(บีทีเอส)
The entity to whom Bangkok Metropolitan Administration owes a significant accumulated debt.
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration(กรุงเทพมหานคร)
The governing body for Bangkok, whose finances and debt payments are discussed.