Bangkok: Senator Alongkot declined to review the bill to investigate the “soft power budget,” complaining that whatever the senators do is criticized, and if they don’t do anything, they’re accused of being afraid. He insists he will do his best for the benefit of the people and the nation.
According to Thai News Agency, Senator Alongkot Worakit, chairman of the Senate Budget Management Monitoring Committee, addressed the meeting to review the budget allocation for former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s 5 billion baht soft power promotion project. He stated that during this afternoon’s meeting, he will seek approval to summon relevant agencies for clarification. Among the questions expected to be raised are the budget for 2025 and 2026, who was hired, and whether the contractors, as reported in the news, are nominees.
Mr. Alongkot compared the budget for soft power projects to the budget for building a bridge. “By building a bridge, we get a bridge, which is useful for pedestrians and drivers.” Soft power is based on the same principle: once it’s implemented, whether people use the event or not, and whether revenue increases, it must be assessed to determine the value for money.
As for how to measure results, that’s up to the agencies to answer. If we hold an event and it doesn’t produce results or impact, why would we hold it? Many people view the soft power budget review as a check on the government. If we don’t do it, they say we’re afraid. If we do, they say we’re a check on the government. Senators complain about anything they do, and keyboard trolls complain. But we try to do our best as elected senators. This confirms our existence and our commitment to the interests of the nation, its people, and its institutions.
When asked whether charges would be expedited if wrongdoers were found in the soft power budget, Mr. Alongkot stated that this would take time. A committee meeting would be held to request a resolution to issue a letter inviting relevant agencies to clarify the account freeze and budget use for the soft power project.