The cabinet has proposed a deficit budget bill to parliament, with 3-trillion-baht spending earmarked for the next fiscal year starting in October.
The National Legislative Assembly voted to accept the budget bill for deliberation in the first reading on Thursday.
Under the budget, expenditures totalled 3 trillion baht, down 50 billion baht from the previous year, while revenue was projected at 2.55 trillion baht, representing a deficit of 450 billion baht, down 18.2% from the previous year.
Investment budget was set at 660.3 billion baht, down 2.4% year-on-year and representing 22% of the total.
By strategy, realigning for a balance and improving the administrative system gets the lion's share of 28% of the budget (continued below).
Addressing the assemblymen, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ruled out corruption fears despite the high expenditures. "If we fear corruption, we might as well do nothing. It all depends on people and we have mechanisms in place to detect and tackle it and I have always keep an eye on it."
He stressed the importance of allocation by region. "Each region has different potential and we need to link them with infrastructure."
He cited as an example, the elimination of a requirement for ID card copies at public offices. "We have started even though it took 40 months to get this far."
He said comparable budgets would be allocated to all regions. "We're the government of all people. I hope the next government will do the same so all people benefit, not just some groups."
The prime minister used the opportunity to send messages to those outside Parliament and to talk about the issues he must have found disturbing -- from pro-election protests to a vow to "rip off" the constitution by a new political party.
"Let's support reform. Is it right to break the law in the name of democracy? The new generation must have a limit. They just can't tear down everything and rebuild it from scratch. We need to enhance the good things we already have instead of trying new things which are worse."
He ended his two-hour speech at the NLA with a warning.
"I apologise for my strong words. I'm only human. Since the prime ministership is a position, no one can insult it. You can criticise me all you want but as long as I'm the prime minister, you'd better be careful. The position is honourable and I want to keep it that way."
