Bangkok: “Athakorn” insists the Soft Power budget is transparent and complies with regulations.
According to Thai News Agency, Minister of Tourism and Sports Atthakorn Sirilathayakorn addressed concerns regarding the soft power budget during a parliamentary session focused on Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s policy statement. He emphasized that the budget would be used transparently and in line with regulations to generate real benefits and stimulate tourism and the economy. Atthakorn, under the close supervision of Deputy Prime Minister Captain Thammanat Prompao, acknowledged the constraints faced, including time limitations and the fact that the current government did not set the budget. He affirmed his commitment to overseeing the careful and transparent management of every baht of the budget.
Atthakorn clarified that despite widespread social media discussions about individuals involved with the Soft Power budget, he was not personally familiar with those mentioned in the news. He assured that no one would be able to exploit him or the budget.
The Minister further explained that while the budget is distributed among several ministries, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports plays a crucial role in using it to drive economic growth. The ministry aims to attract both domestic and international tourists, thereby maximizing economic benefits.
Atthakorn reiterated his intention to use the budget in accordance with regulations, focusing on appropriateness and maximizing benefits for the country. He stated that every project utilizing the budget must produce tangible results and significantly stimulate the economy.