Consequently, the Bureau of the Budget exercises its authority by controlling
the spending of all government agencies. Beyond its main task as the coordinator for
the budget formulation process, the Bureau of the Budget also has the authority to
intervene in spending by government agencies. Regulations on budget administration
have been enacted to secure this control. Before departments can spend budgetary
allocations, they must receive permission from the Bureau of the Budget. Since the
1970s, this has been strictly controlled. Chai Anan has noted that details about the
procurements made by government agencies, even regarding price, quality, and
standards, had to be reported to the Bureau of the Budget (Chai Anan, 1971: 114).