Phloomi questions why People’s Party MPs oppose the EV garbage trucks and demands clear answers on the specific issues, affirming that every baht of public money must be verifiable and accountable.
Phloomi Vipatphumpat, former Bangkok MP and leader of the Working People Council faction, stated that on 15 Sep, during the Bangkok Council's second and third readings of the 2027 budget bill, he spoke as a former MP and four-term council member. He emphasized that every baht of public funds must be accountable, and proper scrutiny requires identifying the exact problem and whether the proposed solution addresses it. Regarding the EV garbage trucks, he said the discussion must be complete, not one-sided. The People’s Party confirmed on 11 Sep that its 15 members on the special committee support transitioning to clean energy vehicles to save costs and reduce pollution but remain concerned about readiness and value for money in the three EV garbage truck projects.
Phloomi added that while thorough scrutiny is necessary, the public should see all the numbers first. The three projects returned in the budget amendment include: 2-ton electric compactor garbage trucks costing 1,595,577,060 baht; 8 cubic meter electric container-lift trucks at 317,541,400 baht; and 5-ton electric compactor trucks at 4,125,463,540 baht. The total project commitment is 6,038,582,000 baht, but only 1 million baht per project, totaling 3 million baht, is allocated in the 2027 budget. The remainder is future financial commitments, not a one-time disbursement of over 6 billion baht in a single year.
He also noted that the EV concept is not new to those questioning it today. In 2023, the Move Forward Party’s council members proposed the “Future Bus” ordinance to promote electric buses in Bangkok to reduce PM2.5 and pollution. So why do People’s Party MPs reject EVs despite agreeing with their use? He calls for clarity: if their shared goal is to reduce oil use, lower PM2.5, and transition to clean energy, then if the TOR has problems, why not amend it? Having served multiple terms in the council, he urges respect for council procedures. He clarified he is not asking anyone to approve budgets without scrutiny, but ultimately, budget decisions should not be political competitions but efforts to maximize public benefit.