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Abhisit Opposes 400 Billion Baht Energy Loan Decree

Abhisit Opposes 400 Billion Baht Energy Loan Decree

Matichon•Politics•31m ago

Reader Briefing

Abhisit Vejjajiva and the Democrat Party oppose a 400 billion baht loan decree citing legal concerns and inefficient energy strategies.

  • •Abhisit Vejjajiva debated against the 400 billion baht loan decree on August 26 at the Parliament.
  • •The Democrat Party opposes the decree based on four primary reasons: legal authority, failure to address root causes, economic security risks, and flawed energy transition strategy.
  • •Abhisit Vejjajiva argues the loan will increase public debt toward the 70% ceiling without ensuring economic growth.
  • •The Democrat Party suggests that biodiesel and excise tax measures would have been more cost-effective than the proposed loans.

Overview

  • •On August 26, the House of Representatives held a meeting presided over by Sophon Saram to consider the energy loan decree.
  • •Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the Democrat Party, announced that Abhisit Vejjajiva and the Democrat Party would not vote to approve the 400 billion baht loan decree.
  • •Abhisit Vejjajiva stated the decree reduces the power of the legislative branch and that the government lacks a clear spending plan for the funds.
  • •Abhisit Vejjajiva claimed the government failed to solve energy problems at the root, such as not adjusting electricity production formulas to reduce excess profits.
  • •Abhisit Vejjajiva warned that increasing public debt toward the 70% GDP ceiling increases economic system risks.
  • •Abhisit Vejjajiva argued the energy transition strategy is flawed because it relies on importing solar equipment instead of promoting domestic biodiesel.
  • •Abhisit Vejjajiva expressed concern that the funds could be misused for political benefit or corruption.
  • •Abhisit Vejjajiva predicted that the decree will not lead to significant economic growth or solve the energy crisis for the people.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Abhisit Vejjajiva
"The reason I do not want to approve this decree, legally speaking, is to confirm that the enactment of this decree is an attempt to evade and reduce our power as legislators."
เหตุผลที่ผมไม่อยากจะอนุมัติ พ.ร.ก.ฉบับนี้ แซงนะในทางกฎหมายก็เพื่อยืนยันว่าการตราพ.ร.ก.ครั้งนี้ เป็นความพยายามในการหลีกเลี่ยงและเป็นการลดทอนอำนาจของพวกเราในฐานะฝ่ายนิติบัญญัติ
Abhisit Vejjajiva
"I predict that if this decree passes Parliament and is enforced, we will not see any significant change regarding economic growth, and the people will still face the energy crisis."
ผมฟันธงว่าพ.ร.ก.ฉบับนี้ ถ้าผ่านรัฐสภาไปบังคับใช้ เราจะไม่ได้เห็นความเปลี่ยนแปลงอย่างมีนัยยะสำคัญเลยเกี่ยวกับการเติบโตของเศรษฐกิจ และประชาชนก็ยังจะต้องเผชิญกับวิกฤตปัญหาจากพลังงานต่อไป

Key Entities

Person

Abhisit Vejjajiva(อภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ)ℹ️
List MP and leader of the Democrat Party.
Sophon Saram(โสภณ ซารัมย์)ℹ️
The Speaker of the House of Representatives who presided over the meeting.
Korn Chatikavanij(กรณ์ จาติกวณิช)ℹ️
Deputy leader of the Democrat Party.

Organization

Democrat Party(พรรคประชาธิปัตย์)
A political party that opposes the 400 billion baht loan decree.
House of Representatives(สภาผู้แทนราษฎร)ℹ️
The legislative body considering the loan decree.
Constitutional Court(ศาลรัฐธรรมนูญ)ℹ️
The court that ruled the loan decree was enacted constitutionally.
Chulalongkorn University(จุฬาลงกรมหาวิทยาลัย)ℹ️
An institution from which some expert witnesses were sourced.
Thammasat University(มหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์)ℹ️
An institution from which some expert witnesses were sourced.
TDRI(ทีดีอาร์ไอ)
An organization from which some expert witnesses were sourced.
Oil Fund(กองทุนน้ำมัน)
A fund used to manage fuel prices.
BAAC(ธ.ก.ส.)ℹ️
A state bank to which the government owes money.

Place

Parliament(รัฐสภา)ℹ️
The location where the House of Representatives meeting took place.

Law

Emergency Decree Authorizing the Ministry of Finance to Borrow Funds to Resolve Energy Crisis Impacts and Create National Energy Transition 2026(พระราชกำหนด(พ.ร.ก.)ให้อำนาจกระทรวงการคลังกู้เงิน เพื่อแก้ไขปัญหาผลกระทบจากสถานการณ์วิกฤตด้านพลังงานและสร้างการเปลี่ยนผ่านด้านพลังงานของประเทศ พ.ศ.2569)
A decree allowing the Ministry of Finance to borrow 400 billion baht.

Policy

Thai Chuay Thai Plus(ไทยช่วยไทยพลัส)
A project intended to use part of the borrowed funds for distribution.