NSC budget only covers ‘core mission’

Funds insufficient for other work: chief

The National Security Council (NSC)’s budget is inadequate and only covers its essential missions, including combating cybersecurity threats, according to NSC secretary-general Gen Somsak Rungsita.

He said the NSC’s annual budget of 200 million-300 million baht is insufficient to cover other duties.

The council has produced a spending plan that outlines priority tasks to be delivered over the next two to three years. Fighting cyber threats is among the priorities to be implemented, said Gen Somsak. Other missions include the suppression of terrorism, maritime security threats and transnational crime. “These are the areas where our budget will be spent,” he said.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha stressed yesterday that tackling security threats from online sources, including social media, is also listed among priorities under the national security plan in effect until 2022.

The prime minister spoke after chairing the NSC meeting yesterday.

The plan has gained royal approval as the country’s principle blueprint for agencies dealing with national security, Gen Prayut said.

The plan will be adjusted to reflect emerging threats in all shapes and forms.

The task of fending off threats will fall to specific working units made up of advisers and experts.

Gen Somsak said yesterday’s NSC meeting also discussed the impact of the US-Iran conflict and its implications.

Measures will be taken to ensure the safety of Thai workers in the Middle East, while security surveillance will also be implemented in Thailand to protect US, Israeli and Iranian interests.

The authorities are also on the lookout for suspicious characters entering Thailand with a potential to undermine national security, Gen Somsak said.