The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will use the budget it has requested for the upcoming fiscal year to improve five key aspects of people's lives in the capital, says Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang.
"These key areas are cleanliness, convenience, safety, quality of life, as well as self-sufficiency," he told a City Council meeting on Wednesday.
The BMA asked for a total of 83 billion baht for the 2020 fiscal year, which begins in October and ends in September next year.
Pol Gen Aswin said that of the 83 billion baht it requested, 3.6 billion baht will be earmarked to improve the city's cleanliness, 8.6 billion baht to improve accessibility and convenience, and 655 million baht allocated to make the city's streets safer.
"We also plan to spend 3.3 billion baht to improve the general quality of life, and 139 million baht will be spent to promote and develop self-sufficient communities within Bangkok's city proper."
The budget will be allocated to 50 districts and other departments under the BMA's jurisdiction, added Pol Gen Aswin.
The governor said the amount requested matches the BMA's revenue from its various projects, tax collections, and contributions from the central government.
Separately, council member Pas Passasatta said the amount of students enrolled in 437 schools managed by the BMA has decreased, yet many requests are still coming in to build new schools.
"As student numbers shrink, the BMA should start thinking about sharing facilities between schools under its management," he said.
"We have to be careful, because in the past, there have been complaints and graft allegations related to the construction of schools."
The City Council, which is comprised of 29 councilors, will spend 45 days deliberating the budget proposal.
According to a source in the City Council, Nong Chok district asked for the largest share of the budget at 589 million baht, while Samphanthawong district asked for the least at about 208 million baht.