Mayor outlines city budget for business group

0
1249

Pattaya has requested 1.7 billion baht in funding from the national government for 2013-14, hoping to use the money to boost worker salaries and fund a myriad of infrastructure projects.

Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome outlined city expenses at the Pattaya Business & Tourism Association’s Dec. 12 meeting, saying the funding falls under an umbrella program entitled “Believe in Pattaya.”

Itthiphol said the Cabinet agreed to allow Pattaya to retain taxes collected locally, will get funding from the Ministry of Interior and a 300 billion baht loan from the Chonburi government.

Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome outlines city expenses during the Pattaya Business & Tourism Association’s Dec. 12 meeting. Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome outlines city expenses during the Pattaya Business & Tourism Association’s Dec. 12 meeting.

The mayor said the funding will allow Pattaya to pay minimum wages of 300 baht per day and 15,000 baht per month for college graduates. However, he said, the city must find another source of income for a reserve fund in order to implement the salary plan.

The mayor also used the meeting to update the businesspeople on city infrastructure projects, including beach restoration, flood control and the Sukhumvit bypass tunnel.

He said more funding is needed for other projects, such as a water pipeline to Koh Larn.