STREET WISE
Rapacious Army at receiving end
It's not surprising that critics have turned their attacks on the Royal Thai Army, given the huge increase in its budget in the upcoming fiscal year amid all the dangerous uncertainties that could pull down the economy and sink the country's future.
In the 2007 fiscal year, the Army was allocated Bt56.86 billion. But in the next fiscal year, it is asking for Bt70 billion - a 23.9 per cent increase. This news came amid the government's expectation that it will run a budget deficit of Bt165 billion, with revenue of only Bt1.4 trillion. Certainly, it's taxpayers who need to be the most concerned. While value-added taxes and corporate taxes are the main sources of revenue, it is taxpayers who make up the balance. It is estimated that there are 5 million individual taxpayers in the country. Together with those who pay VAT, corporate and excise taxes, they are helping the country in many ways. They finance the salaries of two million civil servants as well as the government's investment projects - which include road construction and the planned mass transit routes. Part of the Army's budget would go to the restive South, to restore peace in this violence-prone area where killings occur on a daily basis. Indeed, everyone would be happy to see the murders end, as peace would certainly boost the profile of Thailand in the international community and spread economic prosperity to all. But again, there are doubts. As the Defence Ministry's budget is rising 24 per cent, why does it have to ask for a special fund from TOT for the procurement of electronic devices for purposes of "national security". So far, we don't know the exact amount, but Vuthipong Priebjrivat, TOT's ousted director, said it is Bt800 million. One puzzle is we don't know if the ministry has asked for a similar fund from other state enterprises. TOT could be the lucky enterprise that is being giventhe privilege of showing its love for the nation, as its chairman is from the Army. Don't forget that General Saprang Kalayanamitr, the assistant Army chief and deputy secretary-general of the Council for National Security, is also chairman of Thai Airways International and Airports of Thailand. Aside from their annual corporate taxes, these two big state enterprises are certainly capable of shedding a portion of their income for the country.
achara_d@nationgroup.com
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