Phakamon Urges Thai PBS to Clarify Budget and State Audit Office Reform
List-MP Phakamon Bunonan urges Thai PBS to explain its massive budget and calls on the State Audit Office to ensure its own transparency, ahead of a parliamentary committee meeting on October 22.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Phakamon Bunonan demands Thai PBS clarify its multi-million baht budget usage for public transparency
- Advises the State Audit Office (SAO) to prove its own legitimacy before auditing other organizations
- Parliamentary committee schedules a meeting with Thai PBS board and Excise Department on October 22
- Emphasizes separating budget source changes from the amendment of the Thai PBS Act
On October 15, 2026, Miss Phakamon Bunonan, a party-list MP and spokesperson for the People's Party, addressed public questions regarding Thai PBS's budget expenditure, which has exceeded hundreds of millions of baht, demanding that the public broadcaster provide clear answers to society.
Phakamon stated that while the alteration of funding sources is an external matter ultimately subject to a House of Representatives vote, internal operations must be rigorously justified to maintain Thai PBS's status as a genuinely independent and honorable public media outlet.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The People's Party spokesperson added that if Thai PBS fails to address public concerns, the grassroots support advocating for its role as a public broadcaster will diminish, potentially leading citizens to misunderstand the core issues. She outlined three primary demands from the public:
- Preventing external political control by securing independent funding sources
- Recognizing Thailand's essential need for a reliable public media organization
- Urging Thai PBS to use this opportunity to undergo self-reform and prove its transparency
Regarding the State Audit Office (SAO) holding a press conference on the matter, Phakamon raised questions over whether the agency can justify its own integrity and transparency before attempting to investigate others, warning the organization against acting as a political tool.
"I would like to publicize that this coming Thursday, October 22, our Political Development Committee has already set this agenda. We have invited both the Excise Department, Ministry of Finance, and the Thai PBS board to discuss this matter, focusing on two key issues: the change in funding sources and our concerns regarding potential political influence, along with the amendment of the Thai PBS Act."
Phakamon Bunonan
The debate surrounding the funding and independence of public broadcasters like Thai PBS highlights ongoing tensions in Thai politics regarding institutional accountability and media freedom. The push by political figures to scrutinize financial structures while simultaneously amending governing legislation illustrates the complex dynamics of legislative oversight over independent public entities.
Responding to a call by Mr. Supachai Jaismut, party-list MP and chief legal officer of the Bhumjaithai Party, who urged three House committees chaired by People's Party MPs to investigate Thai PBS, Phakamon confirmed that the session has officially been scheduled for October 22.
Finally, Phakamon urged the government and the Bhumjaithai Party to clarify whether altering Thai PBS's funding sources carries any hidden agendas, concluding that it is high time for the broadcaster to update its governing act to ensure absolute transparency and independence.
Source: Khaosod Politics
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