Thai PM launches new data service under GovChannel

BANGKOK, April 19 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha has launched a new data service under the official one-stop "GovChannel" in order to welcome public access to state spending plans transparently. The prime minister presided over a ceremony to launch the new public online service, dubbed "Where Do Taxes Go?" and available at the [govspending.data.go.th] website, connected to the [www.GovChannel.go.th] website, or at the "G-News" online application on mobile phones, at Bangkok's Government House on Tuesday. The newest service, jointly developed by the Thai Ministry of Finance's Comptroller General's Department (CGD) and Bureau of the Budget (BB), as well as the Electronic Government Agency (Public Organisation) and the Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), is aimed to openly provide the public with information on how the government spends on their taxes to fund public projects nationwide at all levels. According to the prime minister, his administration's spending plans for the 2016-2017 fiscal years will also be available on the new online service as part of a new state budget policy focused on transparency to the utmost. The prime minister noted that the new online channel will also connect official tasks of all government agencies to provide the public with quick and more efficient services, while also building up integrated cooperation among all Thai government agencies in a concrete manner for the sake of swift, accurate and advance services to the public. (TNA)