Thai Parliament Day 2 Budget Debate Slows Down
The second day of Thailand's FY2027 budget debate cleared only two sections, prompting Bhumjaithai Party to urge concise speeches.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- The second day of the FY2027 budget debate in the Thai parliament faced severe delays, clearing only two sections.
- A Bhumjaithai MP urged colleagues to keep discussions concise to ensure the session finishes within three days.
- Section 15 regarding the Ministry of Transport passed with 280 votes in favor.
The House of Representatives meeting dedicated to reviewing the fiscal year 2027 budget bill encountered notable delays on its second day. Throughout the entire session, lawmakers managed to deliberate and approve only two sections: Section 14 concerning the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, and Section 15 concerning the Ministry of Transport. This occurred amidst speculation that opposition parties might deliberately prolong the proceedings over four days to delay the annual report of the Election Commission.
At 4:13 PM, the assembly voted on Section 15 for the Ministry of Transport, resulting in 280 votes in favor, 143 votes against, and 51 abstentions, with no uncast votes recorded before moving on to the subsequent agenda.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Subsequently, Thanayot Timsuwan, an MP for Loei province from the Bhumjaithai Party, raised a point regarding the prior agreement made between the government whip and opposition whip before the assembly commenced. He noted that while the plan was to deliberate up to Section 26 by today, the assembly had only just concluded Section 15, leaving approximately seven hours of combined amendment proposals for the remaining sections.
"We strongly intend to complete the second and third readings within three days, so please make the best use of time and withdraw or shorten debates if not strongly objected."
Thanayot Timsuwan, Bhumjaithai Party MP
The assembly then proceeded to deliberate Section 16, which covers the budget for the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society. Several prominent list-MP figures registered amendments for this section, including Kandee Lerpipat from the Democrat Party, Issariya Paireepairit from the People's Party, and Pawut Pongvitayapanu from the People's Party.
The second and third readings of the national budget bill are traditionally rigorous as MPs scrutinize and propose adjustments to ministerial allocations. Calls from lawmakers to expedite proceedings highlight efforts to keep the legislative calendar on track. Meanwhile, the roster of members proposing amendments for the digital economy ministry underlines intense legislative oversight on technology and digital transformation budgets.
Source: Matichon Politics
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