Bangkok seeks 90 billion baht budget approval for green spaces and pollution projects

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is set to request a 90 billion baht budget for 2024, with plans to revise policies in line with global trends and the new cabinet’s direction. This decision follows a recent meeting of the Bangkok Executive Board, chaired by Governor Chadchart Sittipunt.

Chadchart revealed that the budget management format would adopt a zero-based budgeting approach. This method requires the BMA to review every policy based on its capacity to effectively cover expenses, reports Bangkok Post.

He explained…

“For more efficient project management, every project that has that ability will get a pass. If it does not, we will reconsider the benefits that people might get from a certain project before reintroducing it.”

Chadchart also noted that some policies outlined in a memorandum of understanding signed on Monday to form a new government align with BMA’s plans, including the budget management proposal.

Key projects the BMA plans to propose to the new cabinet focus on air pollution and green spaces, as well as integrating Bangkok Port in Klong Toey with the Laem Chabang deep-sea port in Chon Buri. These are considered emergency plans, and the BMA will explore potential cooperation with national plans.

Reflecting on his first year in office, Chadchart highlighted the BMA’s recent success with community-based policies, with 190 out of 260 ongoings. One such successful policy is the Traffy Fondue application, which has helped resolve 206,844 of the 285,771 complaints submitted last year. There are plans to expand the categories of complaints the application can address. Chadchart also mentioned the need to review fire prevention regulations.