Economy
Concerns Raised Over Community Development Department Budget Allocation
During the 2027 fiscal budget debate, MP Natthawut Buaprathum questioned a 996 million baht training budget allocated to the Community Development Department.
On September 9, 2026, during the third day of the House of Representatives' second and third reading of the 2027 fiscal budget bill—totaling 3.78 trillion baht—People's Party list MP Natthawut Buaprathum raised concerns regarding the Ministry of Interior's budget. Specifically, he highlighted that the Community Development Department has been allocated 996 million baht for training purposes. Natthawut noted that this figure exceeds the total seminar budget for the entire Ministry of Interior, questioning the necessity and potential redundancy of such high spending.
During his address at the Parliament, Natthawut expressed apprehension that the funds might be prioritized for field activities rather than genuine human resource development. He questioned who the primary beneficiaries of this substantial allocation would be, suggesting that the budget cuts proposed by the extraordinary committee did not align with his own recommendations for fiscal oversight.
For residents and those interested in Thai governance, this debate highlights ongoing scrutiny regarding how public funds are distributed across government departments. While the budget is currently under legislative review, it remains to be confirmed how the final allocation will be structured and whether the Ministry of Interior will provide further justification for these specific training expenditures. The legislative process continues as the House reviews the 226.9 billion baht budget assigned to the Ministry.
