Dr. Warong called for a 10% overall budget cut, insisting the country still suffers from corruption, with 30% kickbacks in projects. He emphasized the issue of 140 billion baht worth of 1,000-baht banknotes disappearing from the system, suspecting involvement of "gray money" including gambling funds, bribes, and under-the-table payments. He warned that if these issues continue to be ignored, the nation will not survive.
On 7 Sep 2026 at 10:20 GMT+7, during a special session of the House of Representatives to consider the 2027 budget bill totaling 3.78 trillion baht, Dr. Warong Dechgitvigrom, a party-list MP and leader of the Thai Pakdee Party, rose to debate. He proposed a 10% cut to Section 4 of the budget overall, citing concerns that budget allocations lead to corruption. Previously skeptical that corruption existed, he had received complaints from contractors that annual budget projects, even those in early stages, had payments disbursed. He explained that although actual costs might be 100 baht, projects listed in the budget books were priced 300-400 baht. Contractors had to pay 30% kickbacks to officials, who then redistributed the money. This 30% was reserved for various side payments. This budget practice had been ongoing for decades. He observed that budgets for public relations, contracted services, educational supplies, and government projects were all set excessively high, facilitating leakages. Therefore, he demanded a 10% cut across the board.
"Prices are set at 300-400 baht when actual costs are 100 baht, with 30% kickbacks. More importantly, government projects pose dangers, and I am concerned about 140 billion baht in 1,000-baht notes vanishing from the system. This is linked to gray money, gambling funds, bribes, under-the-table payments, and vote-buying cash. The parliamentary committee has either discussed or neglected this issue, but if it is allowed to persist, the country will ultimately fail," Dr. Warong said.