Bangkok: The Treasury Department has initiated the Landlord Sharing project, aiming to optimize the management of Crown Property to support social initiatives. This project, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, will pilot at six major hospitals to improve public health services. The endeavor seeks to increase the value of Crown Property and alleviate budget constraints faced by the Ministry of Public Health.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Ekniti Nitithanpraphas, Director-General of the Treasury Department, announced the Landlord Sharing project, which allows government agencies to procure land on Crown property for social projects, enhancing the value of unused assets. A memorandum of understanding was signed, enabling the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health, to procure land under its ownership, with Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, Permanent Secretary, also participating. This initiative underscores the potential of cooperation for long-term public health system development.
Mr. Ekniti highlighted that Thailand possesses over 12.6 million rai of Crown Property, with more than 10 million rai owned by government agencies. Many areas are underutilized due to budget constraints, leading to missed development opportunities. The Treasury Department aims to transform its role from "caretaker" to "driver" through the Landlord Sharing project, using unused Crown Property for social development projects. This approach seeks to maximize benefits for the people and the nation, generating income, increasing asset value, reducing national budget burdens, alleviating inequality, and improving quality of life. The Treasury Department has set criteria to empower agencies to use Crown Property under a transparent, accountable regulatory framework, minimizing bureaucratic procedures. The project aligns with the VALUE strategy, focusing on creating and sharing value through state property utilization for economic benefits, quality of life improvement, infrastructure enhancement, and essential public service support.
The Treasury Department has established clear criteria for a transparent framework, supporting social projects under the agency's statutory mandate, benefiting the public or surrounding communities. Key conditions include:
- Social projects in public health promoting quality of life.
- Compliance with the mission and laws of the government agency.
- Exclusion from projects under the PPP law and business welfare arrangements.
- Open bidding for private sector development and government agency area allocation.
- Adherence to the Crown Property Act and related laws.
- National income remittance from leasing royal land to the private sector.
- Appropriate and fair service price regulation measures.
- Quarterly operation result reporting to the Treasury Department.
Mr. Ekniti emphasized that authority delegation does not transfer ownership, as Crown Property remains state-owned with a utilization period limited to 30 years. The delegated agency must report its performance quarterly to ensure transparency, with the Treasury Department retaining the right to revoke authority if agreements are violated.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, the pilot project involves constructing medical service centers, special patient wards, and parking garages, supporting public health missions and ensuring universal service access. The six pilot hospitals are:
- Nakornping Hospital, Chiang Mai Province: special patient ward, medical service area, parking building.
- Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital, Chiang Rai Province: Wellness Center, convalescent and waiting area, medical service area, parking building.
- Samut Prakan Hospital, Samut Prakan Province: Cancer, Heart and Lifestyle Medicine Center, medical service areas, parking building.
- Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, Nakhon Ratchasima Province: special patient ward, medical service area, parking building.
- Pattaya Pathomkun Hospital (Bang Lamung Hospital), Chonburi Province: special patient ward, accommodation, medical service area, parking building.
- Hat Yai Hospital, Songkhla Province: medical service and support buildings.
"The MOU signing authorizing the Ministry of Public Health to utilize land under its control demonstrates the Treasury Department's commitment to maximizing Crown Property use for social missions and tangible public service. This will enable the Ministry to more efficiently develop Crown Property for medical projects, reduce budget burdens, and increase medical service access. This partnership serves as a model for future collaborations with other agencies," stated Mr. Ekniti.
Dr. Opas noted that large hospitals currently serve 3,000-4,000 patients daily, with some reaching 10,000, leading to inadequate services, particularly in parking and medical service areas. The Ministry of Public Health receives an annual budget of 15 billion baht, but requires 40 billion baht for public health system development. This collaboration aims to increase social services and drive the economy, with an expedited project progress plan.