"Nurse Phattharaphon" is leading the "Hack BMA Budget 2027" campaign, uncovering several critical points that demand clarification on equipment pricing, overlapping budgets, and unclear performance indicators, while calling on the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to disclose specifications, price origins, and detailed information.
On 8 August 2026, at the Irawat Pattana building in the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) City Hall, Din Daeng, the Bangkok Metropolitan Council held a hackathon event titled “Hack BMA Budget 2027.” This event opened the floor for the public and academia to review, analyze, and provide feedback on the BMA’s fiscal year 2027 budget, which totals approximately 93,918.92 million baht. Representatives from the BMA Council and the public participated enthusiastically.
Ms. Phattharaphon Kengrungreungchai, a BMA Council member for Bang Sue district and chairperson of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council, said this event marks a new milestone for the council.Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.This is the first time in history that the BMA budget review process has invited the public to participate in “hacking” the budget. The insights and observations gathered at this event will not end on stage but will be incorporated into the council’s budget deliberations. Additionally, for the first time, the budget committee’s review sessions will be broadcast live after years of advocacy, allowing citizens to better follow and scrutinize the process.
“We organized this event to involve the public, and it will not be the last. We aim to bring everyone to learn alongside us about what the BMA Council does, its powers, and that the public also holds power themselves,” Ms. Phattharaphon said.
Mr. Wiput Sriwaurai, BMA Council member for Bang Rak district, said the BMA Council, as the local legislative body, plays a crucial role in checking and balancing the executive branch. The more efficient the executive, the stronger, more standardized, and transparent the oversight must be, since the BMA budget affects citizens’ lives—from roads, sidewalks, and schools to healthcare facilities. With only 50 council members from diverse professions, they cannot be experts in all areas, so public and academic participation is vital to enhance budget oversight efficiency. He also welcomed public proposals and feedback openly.
Dr. Surachit Pongsingwit, BMA Council member for Lat Krabang district, said that while budgets might seem dull or purely political documents, they directly impact citizens’ quality of life because every baht comes from taxes. High-budget projects in the billions do not automatically improve life quality, so it is essential to verify their value and relevance. His working principles include pushing public issues for real solutions, following projects through to completion, and ensuring transparency. Citizens can submit questions and information through the BMA Council or their district council members.
“Every baht is taxpayers’ hard-earned money. Every project must be pushed, tracked, and audited to ensure maximum value because a good city listens to its people and allows scrutiny of every project,” Dr. Surachit said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Methawi Thardamrong, BMA Council member for Pathumwan district, shared that from her experience since 2006—when the budget was over 40 billion baht and has now more than doubled—this event represents a new approach helping the public better understand budget processes. Bangkok faces diversity, inequality, and complex local issues. She noted that the BMA Council differs from the national parliament because it does not split into government and opposition but serves to oversee the executive. Hence, all 50 district council members must collaborate, even though budgets differ by district based on context and need. She urged citizens to monitor whether their local budgets are used effectively and address real issues.
Mr. Chatchai Mordi, BMA Council member for Bang Na district and chair of the special committee reviewing the fiscal year 2027 budget ordinance draft, said the council members’ key role is to both promote and scrutinize the budget. They relay public complaints to the executive to guide budget allocations for problem-solving and must verify that the allocated funds genuinely meet citizens’ needs and resolve difficulties.
During the event, groups composed of civil society members, staff, and council members brainstormed, analyzed, and examined budget items according to their interests before presenting findings and recommendations on stage. Representatives from each area summarized their review of the BMA 2027 budget, identifying several items needing further explanation regarding equipment price appropriateness, project necessity, budget overlap, and performance indicators. They called on the BMA to disclose specifications, price origins, and spending details for public scrutiny. Toward the event's end, three civil society representatives proposed that the BMA reveal project outcomes and establish verifiable indicators to ensure budget use effectively addresses public issues and maximizes value.
Ms. Phattharaphon closed the event by saying that they received a wealth of information from the public, such as how to audit budgets aimed at strengthening communities. She expressed happiness that everyone came together to contribute effort and learn with the BMA Council. She added that if this event could be held annually, it would help citizens better understand the budget process, returning to the event’s core purpose: making the council and the BMA transparent. Ultimately, empowering citizens with budget knowledge is the most sustainable path. When people fully understand every baht, Bangkok will assuredly be more transparent.
