Latest news with #ComptrollerGeneral'sDepartment
Bangkok Post
3 days ago
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Govt to speed up aid for civilians
The government will expedite efforts to provide financial aid to citizens affected by the Thai-Cambodian border conflict, with the move expected to be discussed at the next cabinet meeting next week, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat said. He also confirmed that there were sufficient funds available, making it unnecessary to divert money from the economic stimulus budget. On Tuesday Mr Julapun said discussions on increasing rehabilitation funds are underway, noting that acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has stressed the need for a thorough process. This includes identifying funding sources before the proposal is presented to the cabinet. While the pace may not satisfy everyone, the government wants to finalise the plan next week. He emphasised that any increase in rehabilitation funds will follow due process, with proposals submitted by relevant agencies and reviewed accordingly. Disbursements so far have been made smoothly and without delays, he added. Citing Mr Phumtham, Mr Julapun said the Comptroller General's Department may consider waiving certain regulations to speed up assistance for those whose homes and livelihoods were affected by the conflict. He dismissed suggestions that unused funds from the government's economic stimulus budget might be reallocated, saying that it is unnecessary at this stage because there are already sufficient funds and other mechanisms in place. On the proposed allowances for village defence volunteers in affected areas, Mr Julapun said this would depend on measures from the Interior Ministry. He declined to comment on speculation about expanding such payments nationwide. Meanwhile, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra reportedly donated 2.6 million baht to the government's prefabricated houses project for residents whose homes were damaged during the recent skirmishes along the Thai-Cambodian border. As part of the first phase of the recovery effort, the government has built 11 prefabricated homes for residents in Ubon Ratchathani province's Nam Yuen district. Four of the houses, each accommodating between two and five people, have already been handed over. A preliminary survey found that more than 80 houses in the district were damaged during the course of the conflict. To help rebuilding efforts, well-behaved Ubon Ratchathani Central Prison inmates were tapped to assist in repairing and demolishing damaged houses.
Bangkok Post
08-08-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Governor in soup over emergency budget
The governor of Ubon Ratchathani has been transferred to an inactive post at the Interior Ministry after he was accused of mishandling the 100-million-baht emergency allocation from the central contingency fund, which was meant to be used to help residents affected by the ongoing conflict with Cambodia. The decision to transfer Adisak Noisuwan pending the results of an official investigation was announced by Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai yesterday. Mr Adisak came under scrutiny after a House committee on administration on Wednesday revealed that the provincial administration had only distributed 55,600 baht out of the 100-million-baht emergency budget allocated for Ubon Ratchathani. "In the committee room, I had to ask whether this was a mistake," said Bhumjaithai MP Korrawee Prissananantakul, who chairs the House committee on provincial administration. "How can people survive on just 55,000 baht in such a crisis?" Deputy Interior Minister Theerarat Samrejvanich said the amount was "abnormally low", especially considering its neighbouring provinces -- Surin, Si Sa Ket and Buri Ram -- have already disbursed 55.1 million baht, 46.8 million baht, and 14.1 million baht, respectively. "The numbers are deeply concerning," she said. "We cannot accept this lack of urgency in a time of crisis." The Interior Ministry confirmed that the low spending could not be explained by regulation constraints, as clear guidelines had been issued to all governors in a July 29 meeting with the Comptroller General's Department and related agencies, she said. "There's no excuse for inaction when people are displaced and in need." At the meeting, Mr Adisak said the initial relief efforts were covered by local administrative organisations' budgets, noting the administration spent six million baht to cover food, shelter and survival kits for evacuees through this mechanism. He also noted that public and royal donations helped cover relief efforts. He noted 120,000 meals, valued at 1.2 million baht, were prepared through a royal mobile kitchen, while supplies worth 1.6 million baht from the Thai Red Cross have been distributed. In addition to the 55,600 baht disbursed on Tuesday, he said 4.7 million baht will be disbursed on Aug 12 for property damage and livestock losses.
