Disbursement of the state investment budget in fiscal 2022 tallied 74% of the total investment budget of 611 billion baht, the highest level over the past five fiscal years, says Kulaya Tantitemit, director-general of the Comptroller-General Department.
Even though disbursement was marginally lower than the 75% target, in the past five years it failed to reach the 70% level, Ms Kulaya said.
The government set a disbursement target of 75% for the investment budget of 689 billion baht in fiscal 2023, of which 15% was achieved during the first two months of October and November.
In fiscal 2023, the government aims to achieve accumulated disbursement of investment at 19% in the first quarter, before rising to 39% in the second quarter, 57% in the third quarter and 75% in the final quarter.
The investment budget for fiscal 2023 accounts for 21.7% of the state's total expenditure, the highest proportion since 2018.
The ratio stood at 19.7% in fiscal 2022.
She said the department accelerated the disbursement for contractors working on state projects and eased obstacles that delayed disbursement.
The department recently proposed to the finance minister the amendment of the state procurement law regarding private bidders' appeals against bidding results after they fail to clinch contracts.
The appeals delay projects by at least three months, said Ms Kulaya.
The disbursement of the budget for such projects is also affected as the projects have to be delayed until the cases are adjudicated.
As part of the amendment, the department will require bidders who file appeals to place a financial guarantee worth 0.2% of the total project value, not exceeding 200,000 baht, she said.
If the department considers the appeal to be groundless, the guarantee will be seized.
Ms Kulaya said most of the appeals are for small projects worth less than 100 million baht.