Senator Premsak questions Thai PBS budget and transparency

Khaosod•Politics•12h ago

Reader Briefing

Senator Premsak Piya-yura questioned the transparency and value of Thai PBS's budget management during a Senate meeting on August 25.

•Dr. Premsak Piya-yura scrutinized Thai PBS's annual budget of approximately 2,000 million baht.
•Allegations were raised regarding two Thai PBS executives receiving monthly vehicle allowances while using central organization vehicles.
•Dr. Premsak Piya-yura questioned the use of specific procurement methods for various projects, including a documentary on the October 14 event.
•Thai PBS executives stated their actions followed regulations and promised a report to the Senate within one month.

Overview

•On August 25, Dr. Premsak Piya-yura delivered a speech during a Senate meeting to consider the 2025 annual performance report of Thai PBS.
•Dr. Premsak Piya-yura stated that Thai PBS receives approximately 2,000 million baht annually from liquor and tobacco taxes, totaling nearly 40,000 million baht over nearly 19 years.
•Dr. Premsak Piya-yura raised concerns about two executives receiving monthly vehicle allowances of 27,000 baht and 15,000 baht while using central vehicles.
•Dr. Premsak Piya-yura questioned the necessity of having both NBT Channel 11 and Thai PBS if their roles and content are similar.
•Dr. Premsak Piya-yura pointed out a 2023 project to produce a documentary on the 50th anniversary of the October 14 event costing 2-3 million baht, questioning why external contractors were used despite Thai PBS's internal capabilities.
•Thai PBS executives claimed their operations are correct according to the regulations of the Office of the Prime Minister and the State Audit Office of the Kingdom of Thailand.
•Thai PBS executives will submit a report to the Senate within one month detailing how Thai PBS will resolve the issues raised by the member.

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Key Quotes

Dr. Premsak Piya-yura

"If a lump-sum vehicle allowance is received, is it still possible to use central vehicles? If it is possible because there is no regulation forbidding it, then it must be asked if it is appropriate."

ถ้าได้รับค่ารถเหมาจ่ายแล้ว ยังสามารถใช้รถส่วนกลางได้อีกหรือไม่ ถ้าทำได้เพราะไม่มีระเบียบห้าม ก็ต้องถามต่อว่ามันเหมาะสมหรือไม่

Dr. Premsak Piya-yura

"I want this station to be the eyes and ears of the people, monitoring, exposing, and digging up various frauds, but we must not become that ourselves."

ผมต้องการให้สถานีแห่งนี้เป็นหูเป็นตาให้ประชาชน สอดส่อง ตีแผ่ และขุดคุ้ยสิ่งฉ้อฉลต่าง ๆ แต่เราต้องไม่เป็นเสียเอง

Key Entities

Person

Dr. Premsak Piya-yura(นพ.เปรมศักดิ์ เพียยุระ)

A Senator who questioned the transparency and budget management of Thai PBS.

Organization

Thai Public Broadcasting Service(องค์การกระจายเสียงและแพร่ภาพสาธารณะแห่งประเทศไทย)ℹ️

A public media organization known as Thai PBS that receives funding from liquor and tobacco taxes.

Thai PBS(ไทยพีบีเอส)ℹ️

The shortened name for the Thai Public Broadcasting Service.

Senate(วุฒิสภา)ℹ️

The legislative body where the performance report of Thai PBS was considered.

National Anti-Corruption Commission(คณะกรรมการ ป.ป.ช.)

The body to which complaints were filed regarding Thai PBS executives receiving vehicle allowances.

NBT Channel 11(NBT ช่อง 11)

A government television station whose role was compared to that of Thai PBS.

Office of the Prime Minister(สำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี)

The office whose regulations Thai PBS executives claimed to follow.

State Audit Office of the Kingdom of Thailand(สำนักงานการตรวจเงินแผ่นดิน)ℹ️

The audit office whose regulations Thai PBS executives claimed to follow.