Bangkok: The People's Party is gearing up for a robust debate on the 69th budget, with claims that coalition parties are concealing budget allocations and creating projects to gain political advantage ahead of upcoming elections. The party has expressed particular concern over the increased defense budget, which they argue benefits the coalition by maintaining military support crucial to their current hold on power.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Natcha Boonchaiinsawat, an MP for Bangkok from the Prachachon Party, has outlined the party's strategy for the budget debate scheduled for May 29-31, 2026. He emphasized the need to realign the government's budget framework with pressing issues, such as international tariff barriers and domestic challenges, which he claims are not adequately addressed in the current budget proposal. Mr. Natcha highlighted a disconnect between the Prime Minister's promises and the provisions of the 2026 Budget Bill, suggesting that the leader's commitments may not be realized if the current budget framework is approved.
When questioned about specific targets for the debate, Mr. Natcha asserted that the party intends to scrutinize every ministry. He suggested that coalition parties are increasingly working at cross-purposes, signaling a possible new election and a shift towards using ministry resources for pre-campaigning. The People's Party plans to closely examine these developments during the budget request process.
Addressing potential conflicts with the Senate, Mr. Natcha predicted a contentious budget debate, anticipating that internal discord within coalition parties might influence the outcome. He believes the debate will reveal whether the government is attempting to embed hidden projects within the budget framework as a strategy for future electoral gain.
On the topic of defense and security spending, Mr. Natcha criticized the increased budget as being mutually beneficial for the coalition and the military, suggesting that it does not align with public priorities such as economic stability, healthcare, and environmental issues. He claimed that the budget allocation reflects a reciprocal arrangement that prioritizes power retention over addressing the urgent needs of the population, posing long-term consequences for governance up to 2026.