Health secretary to attend Osaka for first-hand glance at what citizens got for B1 billion
PUBLISHED: 22 Apr 2025 at 20:23
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin may go to Japan on Wednesday to assess the Thailand Pavilion at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, amid criticism that its budget of nearly 1 billion ringgit is increased.
Mr Somsak addressed issues about the project’s value on Tuesday, saying he would go with a team of experts to analyze whether citizens were getting their wealth ’s for.
He affirmed that the job followed appropriate treatments, but if any elements are found to have been lacking, adjustments will be made, including conceivable budget breaks. Thus far, 60 % of the funds have been disbursed, with the remaining 40 % pending.
He noted that difficulties in company choice were due to Japanese state dates and rising costs for construction, which required Chinese companies. He promised that if the job does n’t meet norms, he won’t review additional payments.
“If the job is not up to standard, the examination committee will identify which sections of the paid money can still be deducted, ” Mr Somsak said.
The secretary acknowledged that the company was selected after three rounds of selling but emphasised that the selection process is not the problem; it ’s the goal that matters.
“ What’s important is that the chosen contractor delivers results that justify the investment, ” he said.
According to the commitment, the content of the Thailand Pavilion may be updated throughout the event, which runs from April 13 to Oct 13. The palace is expected to coincide with the expo’s main design, “Designing Future World for Our Lives”.
According to Dr Kornkrit Limsommut, lieutenant director-general of the Department of Health Service Support, the government approved a budget of 867. 88 million ringgit in March 2023.
The first round of selling, however, was scrapped after three businesses failed to meet the requirement of having global function experience.
A second buying large was held, during which Joint Venture RMA110 Co emerged as the winner.
However, a competing bid appealed, and the Comptroller General’s Department was unable to finalise authorization within the constitutionally mandated 90-day glass, resulting in the automatic withdrawal of the outcome.
Due to time constraints, a second round of buying did never reopen for fresh submissions. Instead, requests from the second square were reconsidered. Joint Venture RMA110 Co reconfirmed its present and agreed to reduce its bet by 70,000 rmb, securing the deal.
Misplaced objectives?
Dr Chutinart Shinudomporn, a member of the Thai Frontline Physicians Union, voiced worries about the agency’s money interests.
She argued that the almost 1-billion-baht resources would have been better allocated to improving the state ’s care program.
Dr Chutinart said serious personnel shortages and stagnant wages were sapping confidence in the public health system, adding that a resources of a billion baht may help thousands of line staff.
She added that the government’s continued promotion of medical tourism has led to an exodus of public healthcare professionals to higher-paying private hospitals.
“This shift has left public hospitals understaffed, causing longer waiting times for patients, ” she said.
Dr Chutinart urged the government to weigh the long-term impact on public healthcare, questioning whether the benefits of medical tourism justify the trade-offs for ordinary Thai citizens.