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'Earth Pongsakorn' Highlights BMA Budget Surplus: 76 Billion Baht, Not 94 Million

'Earth Pongsakorn' Highlights BMA Budget Surplus: 76 Billion Baht, Not 94 Million

Khaosod•Politics•25d ago

Reader Briefing

Former BMA Spokesperson Pongsakorn Kwanmuang defended the budget surplus under Governor Aswin Khwanmuang, stating 76 billion baht remained, not the 94 million previously claimed.

  • •Pongsakorn Kwanmuang, former Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) spokesperson, clarified the BMA's financial status during Governor Aswin Khwanmuang's tenure.
  • •He asserted that the BMA had a surplus of over 76 billion baht, contradicting claims of only 94 million baht.
  • •The statement addressed efforts to repay BTS debt and highlighted the significant budget surplus accumulated annually and the impact of COVID-19 on BMA revenue.

Overview

  • •On May 6, 2026, Pongsakorn Kwanmuang posted a clarification on Facebook regarding the BMA's budget.
  • •The clarification was in response to discussions about the BMA's financial status, specifically referencing the period when Pol. Gen. Aswin Khwanmuang was Governor.
  • •Pongsakorn Kwanmuang stated that the BMA had accumulated funds totaling approximately 76,000 million baht during the previous administration.
  • •Pongsakorn Kwanmuang stated that the BMA's budget had been in surplus every year.
  • •The COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant reduction in BMA revenue due to a 90% reduction in land and building tax for two consecutive years, while expenditures increased.
  • •Under Pol. Gen. Aswin Khwanmuang's tenure, attempts were made to seek approval from the BMA Council to use accumulated funds for debt payment, and to propose loan ordinances to transfer assets and settle debts.
  • •Efforts to secure central government subsidies and resolve issues concerning the BTS system through Article 44 negotiations with private entities were also mentioned.
  • •The current BMA administration and council have approved the use of accumulated funds to pay for system (E&M) and operating costs, with an estimated remaining debt of 50,000-60,000 million baht in this project.

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Key Quotes

Pongsakorn Kwanmuang
"'Earth Pongsakorn' presented the BMA budget during 'Governor Aswin's' era, clarifying in detail that funds exceeded 76 billion baht, not just 94 million."
‘เอิร์ธ พงศกร’ โชว์งบประมาณของกทม. ยุค ‘ผู้ว่าฯอัศวิน’ พร้อมชี้แจงอย่างละเอียดยิบ ยืนยันเงินเหลือกว่า 7.6 หมื่นล้านบาท ไม่ใช่แค่ 94 ล้าน
Pongsakorn Kwanmuang
"Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's budget was in surplus every year. Efforts to repay BTS debt left over 76,000 million baht, not 94 million."
งบประมาณของกรุงเทพมหานคร เกินดุลทุกปี ความพยายามชำระหนี้ BTS-เงินเหลือไว้ให้ 76,000 ล้าน ไม่ใช่ 94 ล้าน
Pongsakorn Kwanmuang
"The most unfair thing is the repeated claim that the previous administration left only 94 million baht. The total accumulated funds passed on by the previous administration were approximately 76,000 million baht."
นี่เป็นเรื่องที่ไม่ยุติธรรมที่สุดคือ มีการพูดซ้ำ ๆ ว่าผู้บริหารชุดเก่าทิ้งเงินไว้ให้ผู้บริหารชุดใหม่เพียงแค่ 94 ล้านบาท บัญชีเงินสะสมรวมของ กทม. ที่ผู้บริหารชุดเก่าส่งต่อให้นั้นสูงถึงประมาณ 76,000 ล้านบาท

Key Entities

Person

Earth Pongsakorn(เอิร์ธ พงศกร)
A former spokesperson for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and spokesperson for the Democrat Party.
Governor Aswin(ผู้ว่าฯอัศวิน)ℹ️
Pol. Gen. Aswin Khwanmuang, the former Governor of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, whose tenure is being discussed regarding the BMA's budget.
Pol. Gen. Aswin Khwanmuang(พล.ต.อ.อัศวิน ขวัญเมือง)ℹ️
The former Governor of Bangkok who served during the period of financial discussions related to the BMA's budget surplus.
BTS
Referred to in the context of debt repayment efforts by the BMA.

Organization

BMA(กทม.)ℹ️
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, discussed in the context of its budget and financial status.
Democrat Party(พรรคประชาธิปัตย์)ℹ️
The political party of Pongsakorn Kwanmuang, who is acting as its spokesperson while clarifying the BMA's budget.
BMA Council(สภากทม.)
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Council, which was involved in approving or rejecting requests related to the BMA's finances and debt.

Place

Moh Chit-Khuk Khot(หมอชิต-คูคต)
A route or segment associated with debt that the BMA sought to address during Pol. Gen. Aswin Khwanmuang's tenure.