On 9 July 2012 at 11.00am at the Rattanakosin room, 1st floor, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra chaired the 5th /2012 chief of government agencies: permanent secretary level meeting. The meeting was joined by Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra, Bangkok Deputy Chief Charoenrat Chutikarn, Secretariat of the Office of Civil Service Commission Nontikorn kanjanajitra and related officers.

Bangkok Deputy Chief Charoenrat Chutikarn gave a welcoming speech that BMA is honored to be granted the opportunity to hold the 5th /2012 chief of government agencies: permanent secretary level meeting which is a very important meeting for effective government management and can lead to integrated cooperation between the central administration and BMA. The cooperation will help solve the public’s problems and improve the quality and effectiveness of government services. Most importantly, the prime minister can help support BMA to achieve its goals.

After the meeting, PM Yingluck Shinawatra revealed about Bangkok’s flood prevention budget that currently, the emergency budget for flood prevention has been disbursed to BMA. However, the budget proposed by BMA today is in the Sustainable development plan budget and has to be further discussed with the National water resources management and flood committee which is the normal process. Moreover, dredging in outer Bangkok area must be accelerated to improve the effectiveness of drainage system as well as the monkey cheeks project.

The premier also denied the rumor that the government has slashed BMA’s budget. The cause of the issue is internal process leading to incorrect information. The lost budget is for projects according to the government’s policy which is irrational to be cut. The Budget Bureau has been assigned to investigate the issue. The government is ready to work closely with the BMA since Bangkok is an important economic area which requires cooperation from all related parties. The meeting today presents a good opportunity to the government to listen to opinions from both the BMA and central administration.

PM Yingluck added about canal dredging in Bangkok area that BMA has coordinated with all related parties and ministries to work on the project. The BMA has reaffirmed that the project will be completed on time. PM Yingluck has also given suggestion to the BMA that BMA staffs must visit the area to confirm that the drainage system will work effectively although with high volume of rainfall. The BMA was assigned to cooperate with local administration to work on the issue and report the government to ensure integrated problem solving and effective result.