“Thammasat University hosted a discussion on the topic of ‘Reading the Election Game: 66 Policies, Who is Good, Who is Broken.’ During the discussion, the speakers agreed that political party policies used in campaigns create a burden on the national budget, leading to more borrowing that affects the country’s long-term development. Although there are mechanisms to control campaign , the punishment is light, and the Election Commission has limitations. This discussion took place on April 5th at the Sanya Thammasak Institute for Democracy.
Dr. Kiratipong Naewmalee, Legal Reform Team Leader at the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), spoke regarding TDRI’s study of nine parties’ policies, totaling 87 policies as of February 20, 2023. These policies covered the economy, society, education, health, SME businesses, and law and regulation reforms. Many policies relating to enhancing competitiveness require long-term budgets that lack clarity. Implementing these policies would cost up to 3 trillion baht and lead to an increase in public debt, resulting in less investment budget and affecting long-term development.
Dr. Kiratipong urges people to consider the following when evaluating campaign policies:
1. Do not create excessive fiscal burdens
2. Avoiding off-budget money through specialized financial institutions
3. Avoid creating wrong norms for financial discipline in loan payments
4. Policies that meet immediate needs while increasing competitiveness and efficiency
5. Identify clear guidelines for implementation, including source of income and relevant laws.
Dr. Kiratipong also spoke regarding political party policy screening mechanisms through the Organic Act on Political Parties, 2017, Section 57. Political parties must provide information on the required amount of money and the source of the amount, the value and benefit of policy implementation, and the impacts and risks of policy implementation. The Election Commission has limited power to enforce penalties, and the Congressional Budget Office (PBO) was not designed to analyze political party policies in Thailand, unlike in other countries.
The discussion also included awards for outstanding law students of the year 2023, including Jatuporn Nantayu and Mr. Prachya Thongpradap. Related news articles discussed concerns regarding party policies creating financial burdens and the importance of focusing on policies, not just ideology. ”
‘Thammasat’ held a discussion ‘Read the election game’ 66 policies, who is good, who is broken,’ the speakers agreed. Political party policies used in campaigning to create a burden on the national budget Inescapable, having to borrow more money affect the development of the country in the long run Although there is a mechanism to control campaign . But the punishment is light – the Election Commission has limitations.
On April 5, the past Sanya Thammasak Institute for Democracy Thammasat University (TU) held an academic discussion on Thammasak Day 2023 on the topic of “Reading the Election Game’ 66 Who’s Bang, Who’s Bad Policy” with a large number of participants.
in one episode Dr. Kiratipong Naewmalee Legal Reform Team Leader Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) said that TDRI has madeA study of the policies of 9 parties, a total of 87 policies. This is the information as of February 20, 2023. It was found that the policy overview covers the economy, society, education, health, SME business, as well as reforming laws and regulations. It was found that many policies related to enhancing competitiveness were ‘Long-term policy’ rarely sees the clarity of the budget. It was also found that if political parties actually follow the campaign policies, they will need a budget of up to 3 trillion baht. Ultimately, the government cannot avoid raising public debt.
Dr. Kiratipong said that the consequences of increasing public debt are Thailand will have less investment budget. Because the money must be used to pay off the debt. Finally, it will affect the long-term capability development. and may cause the state to turn to extra-budget money through state-owned specialized financial institutions (quasi-fiscal measures) which these funds do not have to pass the House of Representatives. and may raise questions regarding transparency
“What is worrisome is that this round of elections has a very expensive campaign policy. and have policies that, in principle, do not produce what they should be for the economy and society. Therefore, the things that people should consider are:
1. Must be a policy that does not create excessive fiscal burden
2. Not focusing on the use of off-budget money through specialized financial institutions. (quasi-fiscal measures)
3. Should not create wrong norms for creating financial discipline in loan payments, such as debt suspension, debt cancellation, credit bureau cancellation.
4. Do not focus only on meeting the immediate needs of the people. without increasing competitiveness or efficiency.
5. Be able to identify clear guidelines that will lead to actual implementation. both the source of income and the relevant laws.” Dr. Kiratipong said
As for the policy screening mechanism for political parties, Dr. Kiratipong said that today Thailand has the Organic Act on Political Parties, 2017, Section 57, which stipulates that A political party that advertises policies that require money. Three items of information must be presented to the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT): 1. The required amount of money and the source of the amount 2. Value and benefit of policy implementation 3. Impacts and risks of Implement policy
“If you don’t take action, the Election Commission has only the power to order them to do it right. But if a political party violates it, it will pay a fine of not more than 500,000 baht and another 10,000 baht per day until it is correct. The question is whether the penalties are light or not. And in reality, the Election Commission was not designed to assess the value of the capital. because it requires high-level economic techniques This reflects that The Election Commission has limitations.
Today, however, we have an agency called the Congressional Budget Office, or PBO, whose mission is to partner with lawmakers. However, the task of analyzing political party policies was not set. which is different from abroad that gives PBOs the role and authority to operate in this way.” Dr. Kiratipong said
In the same event There was an award for the outstanding law student of the year 2023 to Ms. Jatuporn Nantayu, Thammasat University. and Professor Sanya Thammasak’s excellent academic award for Mr. Prachya Thongpradap, a third-year student at the Faculty of Law. Thammasat University
Read related news.
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‘Sittorn’ believes that electing 66 people from ‘ideology’ to ‘policy’ is the last step.
In conclusion, the discussion held at Thammasat University highlighted the issue of political party policies and their impact on the national budget. The speakers agreed that many campaign policies are long-term and lack clarity on budget allocation, ultimately leading to increased public debt. Dr. Kiratipong Naewmalee suggested that campaigns should focus on policies that do not create excessive fiscal burden, avoid using off-budget money, and increase competitiveness and efficiency. The current mechanism for policy screening by the Election Commission was also found to have limitations, and a need for a designated agency to analyze political party policies was emphasized. It is important to consider these factors when evaluating campaign promises and their potential effects on the country’s long-term development.
