The Office of the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) responded to the questions from the People's Party regarding the expenditure of state subsidies from the Political Party Development Fund on two main issues:

1. Expenditure of state subsidies for outsourcing contract for the Operations of Political Party Branch

People’s Party has asked a question regarding funds allocated to the political party under the Organic Act on Political Parties B.E. 2560 (2017) Section 83 (4) to hire party branch staffs in accordance with the criteria of the Committee of the Political Party Development Fund, can the party use funds allocated under Section 83 (1), (2), and (3) for outsourcing contracts (contracts for work/services rather than regular employment) to support branch activities such as hiring an individual or a legal person for bookkeeping and accounting, or other similar administrative services?

The Election Commission of Thailand has considered and is of the opinion that the Organic Act on Political Parties, B.E. 2560 (2017) and its amendments Section 83 is only the criteria for the allocation of the  Political Party Development Fund to the Political Party. While Section 84 sets forth the essential purposes for the expenditure of such funds by political parties, namely: for the purpose of election campaigning; conducting political activities of political parties, party branches, and provincial party representatives; developing political parties

and their members to have quality and good morals; promoting knowledge among members and the public regarding the political and governance system under a democratic regime of government with the King as Head of State; and any other matters prescribed by the Commission. However, such spending need to follow the criteria set by the Election Commission of Thailand under the Regulations of the Election Commission on the Political Party Development Fund, B.E. 2560 (2017) and its amendment, and Notification of the Committee of the Political Party Development regarding Criteria and Rates for the Expenditure of Subsidies Allocated from the Political Party Development Fund, B.E. 2568 (2025) Clause 8.1 stipulates that subsidies for personnel wages to carry out operations of a political party branch office shall not exceed one position per branch office, such as general administrative officer, legal officer, finance and accounting officer, or clerical officer, among others. That is to say, the expenditure of such subsidies must be for the employment of personnel on a continuous basis, and not for the employment of personnel operating under service outsourcing contracts focusing primarily on the completion of work, occasional assignments, or positions of a temporary nature or limited duration.

2. The case of using subsidies for facility service fees of political party branch offices

People’s Party has asked a question regarding the case of using subsidies allocating to the poilitical party under the Organic Act on Political Parties B.E. 2560 (2017) to use as facility service fees of political party branch offices which will cover parking lot fee, security service fee, parcel management services provided as part of the landlord's common amenities provided that such service fees are billed separately from the rental fees under the branch office lease agreement, which would otherwise be funded by allocations under Section 83 (4) of the Organic Act on Political Parties, B.E. 2560 (2017)—or not?

The Election Commission of Thailand has considered and is of the opinion that according to the Regulations of the Election Commission on the Political Party Development Fund, B.E. 2560 (2017) and its amendment, and Notification of the Committee of Political Party Development Fund for the Development of Political Parties regarding Criteria and Rates for the Expenditure of Subsidies Allocated from the Political Party Development Fund, B.E. 2568 (2025) Clause 8.2 stipulates only the strictly stipulates office rental fees only, without providing subsidies for facility service fees of political party branch offices that are billed separately from the lease agreement and cover parking fees, security services, and parcel handling in any manner whatsoever.

The Election Commission of Thailand welcomes feedback and plans to use these insights to update relevant rules, keeping them practical, up to date, and beneficial to all political parties on an equal basis.

For more information, please visit the Office of the Election Commission's website at www.ect.go.th or contact the Department of Legal Affairs and Lawsuits or the Election Hotline at 1444.