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2007 Assessment

Thailand: Integrity Indicators Scorecard

Thailand: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Budget Processes
Indicators		Score
37	Can the legislature provide input to the national budget?	50
38	Can citizens access the national budgetary process?	33
39	In law, is there a separate legislative committee which provides oversight of public funds?	100
40	Is the legislative committee overseeing the expenditure of public funds effective?	13

Indicator and sub-Indicator Details

Can the legislature provide input to the national budget?

37a: In law, the legislature can amend the budget.

Score:

YES

Comments: The legislature has a limited power to amend the budget.

References: Thai constitution 1997, Section 180 paragraph 5 states that:

In the consideration of the annual appropriations bill, the supplementary appropriations bill and the transfer of appropriations bill, a member of the House of Representatives shall not submit a motion adding any item or amount to the bill, but may submit a motion reducing or abridging the expenditures which are not expenditures according to any of the following obligations:

(1) money for payment of the principal of a loan; (2) interest on a loan; (3) money payable in accordance with the law.

Peer Review Comments: The legislature can cut items from the budget and can move things around; they just cannot add new expenditures.

Peer Review Comments: Although power is limited, the constitution does allow some legislative intervention.

37b: In practice, significant public expenditures require legislative approval.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: All significant government expenditures (defined as any project costing more than 1% of the total national budget), must be approved by the legislature. This includes defense and secret programs, which may be debated in closed hearings. 50 Score Criteria: Most significant government expenditures (as defined) are approved by the legislature, but some exceptions to this rule exist. This may include defense programs, an executive\'s personal budget, or other expenses. 0 Score Criteria: The legislature does not have the power to approve or disapprove large portions of the government budget, or the legislature does not exercise this power in a meaningful way.$

Comments:

References: From Bangkokbiznews June 20, 2006, Acting Deputy Finance Minister Explained That the National Annual Budget of 2006 Must Be Approved by the Legislature [ LINK ]

Peer Review Comments: This was also in the 1997 constitution.

37c: In practice, the legislature has sufficient capacity to monitor the budget process and provide input or changes.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Telephone interview with an official from the Government Information Center, Secretariat Office of the House of Representatives

Can citizens access the national budgetary process?

38a: In practice, the national budgetary process is conducted in a transparent manner in the debating stage (i.e. before final approval).

Score:

100

Comments: Source states that Dr. Wijit Srisaarn, the Minister of Education, directed his subordinates to prepare themselves to defend the proposed national budget of the ministry.

References: From daily newspaper, Dec 5, 2006 [ LINK ] [ LINK ]

Peer Review Comments: Little, if any, public consultation occurs..

38b: In practice, citizens provide input at budget hearings.

Score:

100

Comments: There is no formal channel for citizens to participate in the budgeting process. Budget-making is a top-down process, dominated by bureaucrats and politicians.

References: Telephone interview with an official from the Government Information Center, Secretariat Office of the House of Representatives

38c: In practice, citizens can access itemized budget allocations.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: An official from the Government Information Center, Secretariat Office of the House of Representatives

In law, is there a separate legislative committee which provides oversight of public funds?

39: In law, is there a separate legislative committee which provides oversight of public funds?

Score:

YES

Comments: There is a committee appointed by the National Legislative Council that monitors the use of budget money by ministries and state enterprises.

There is a committee called Committee on Following Up the Budget Administration, Resolutions of the Assembly and Checking the Minutes of the Sittings.

References: Interview with an official from the Secretariat Office of the House Representatives, Oct. 30, 2007

Is the legislative committee overseeing the expenditure of public funds effective?

40a: In practice, department heads regularly submit reports to this committee.

Score:

100

Comments: Each agency submits an annual report to the Bureau of the Budget. This committee can inspect the reports through the GFMIS system.

References: Interview with an official from the Secretariat Office of the House Representatives, Oct. 30, 2007

40b: In practice, the committee acts in a non-partisan manner with members of opposition parties serving on the committee in an equitable fashion.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: The committee is comprised of legislators from both the ruling party (or parties) and opposition parties in a roughly equitable distribution. All members of the committee -- including opposition party members -- are able to fully participate in the activities of the committee and influence the committee\'s work to roughly the same extent as any other member of the committee. 50 Score Criteria: The committee is comprised of legislators from both the ruling party (or parties) and opposition parties although the ruling party has a disproportionate share of committee seats. The chairperson of the committee may be overly influential and curb other members\' ability to shape the committee's activities. 0 Score Criteria: The committee is dominated by legislators of the ruling party and/or the committee chairperson. Opposition legislators serving on the committee have in practice no way to influence the work of the committee.$

Comments: The committee is appointed by the National Security Council (under martial law).

References: [ LINK ]

40c: In practice, this committee is protected from political interference.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: This committee operates independently of the political process, without incentive or pressure to render favorable judgments on politically sensitive issues. Investigations are rarely praised or criticized by political figures. 50 Score Criteria: This committee is usually independent but is sometimes influenced by negative or positive political incentives. This may include public praise or criticism by the government. 0 Score Criteria: This committee is commonly influenced by personal or political forces or incentives. This may include conflicting family relationships, professional partnerships, or other personal loyalties that ultimately influence the committee\'s behavior and decision-making. Negative incentives may include threats, harassment or other abuses of power by the government.$

Comments: The committee members are appointed by the military (the National Security Council). The military appoints members of the National Legislative Council.

References: Telephone interview with Ms.Kratib, a Thai Post journalist on Nov. 1, 2007

40d: In practice, when necessary, this committee initiates independent investigations into financial irregularities.

Score:

100

Comments: The committee can only make suggestions for improvement. The Office of the Auditor-General of Thailand has the power to investigate the irregularities that are found.

References: Interview with an official from the Secretariat Office of the House Representatives on Oct. 30, 2007