Bangkok: The State Audit Office has urged government officials to act boldly and without fear of scrutiny when providing assistance to border areas, emphasizing the importance of honest and transparent spending to expedite disaster relief efforts.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Montien Charoenphol, Governor of the Office of the Auditor General (OAG), highlighted that officials at all levels should confidently use budgets to alleviate public suffering, provided their actions are transparent and prioritize public interest. He noted that various regulatory obstacles have been revised or abolished to facilitate rapid assistance in emergency situations.
The guidelines set forth allow government agencies to immediately access emergency funds in line with the Ministry of Finance's regulations for disaster relief. For instance, the Prime Minister's Office can allocate up to 100 million baht, while provincial agencies have a cap of 50 million baht. Provincial governors can also approve up to 10 million baht for anticipated emergencies, enabling immediate preparations such as evacuations and procurement of essentials.
Local administrative organizations (LAOs) are also empowered to utilize reserve funds for assistance and can transfer surplus budgets or access accumulated funds without limits, depending on their financial capacity. Standardized expenditure guidelines include unrestricted budgets for drinking water and capped costs for meals, survival kits, and home repairs.
The policy allows urgent procurement to be initiated promptly, with supporting documentation prepared retrospectively, ensuring swift responses to emergencies. Additionally, to ease the burden on citizens, government agencies are discouraged from requesting document copies from disaster victims, opting instead for identity verification through other government data or bank account proof.
Direct bank transfers and PromptPay are encouraged for their verifiable nature and reduced fraud risk. The OAG remains focused on providing legal compliance consultations and, if necessary, offers recommendations for improvement without penalizing non-fraudulent deficiencies. Outreach programs are also planned to advise audited entities, fostering confidence in timely and correct disaster response.
The overarching principles of "integrity, transparency, and speed" are emphasized to ensure citizens receive necessary and prompt assistance during emergencies.