Abhisit opposes 400-billion baht loan decree

Khaosod•Politics•5m ago

Reader Briefing

Abhisit Vejjajiva and the Democrat Party oppose the 400-billion baht emergency loan decree for energy crisis management during a House of Representatives meeting.

•Abhisit Vejjajiva presented four reasons for opposing the emergency loan decree on August 26, 2026.
•The decree allows the Ministry of Finance to borrow 400 billion baht to address energy crises and transition energy systems.
•Abhisit Vejjajiva argues the decree lacks urgent necessity and could push public debt to the 70% GDP ceiling.
•The Democrat Party suggests focusing on root causes and biodiesel instead of large-scale loans for short-term relief.

Overview

•On August 26, 2026, the House of Representatives held its second ordinary session of the 27th House, 1st year.
•Abhisit Vejjajiva debated against the Emergency Decree authorizing the Ministry of Finance to borrow 400 billion baht for energy crisis resolution and transition.
•Abhisit Vejjajiva stated that the decree attempts to bypass legislative power and that the urgent necessity for the second 200-billion baht portion is not evident.
•Abhisit Vejjajiva argued that the government failed to solve root causes of energy costs, such as refining margins and electricity production profits.
•Abhisit Vejjajiva warned that borrowing 400 billion baht would increase economic risk as public debt would hit the 70% GDP ceiling.
•Abhisit Vejjajiva criticized the energy transition strategy for relying on imported solar equipment rather than promoting domestic biodiesel.
•Abhisit Vejjajiva expressed concern that the funds could be misappropriated for political gain or corruption.
•Abhisit Vejjajiva predicted that if the decree is enforced, there will be no significant change in economic growth and citizens will still face energy crises.

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Key Quotes

Abhisit Vejjajiva

"The reason I do not want to approve this Emergency Decree is to confirm that the issuance of this decree is an attempt to evade and diminish our power as the legislature."

เหตุผลที่ผมไม่อยากจะอนุมัติ พ.ร.ก.ฉบับนี้ เพื่อยืนยันว่าการตรา พ.ร.ก.ครั้งนี้ เป็นความพยายามหลีกเลี่ยงและเป็นการลดทอนอำนาจของพวกเราในฐานะฝ่ายนิติบัญญัติ

Key Entities

Person

Abhisit Vejjajiva(อภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ)ℹ️

List MP and leader of the Democrat Party.

Korn Chatikavanij(กรณ์ จาติกวณิช)ℹ️

Deputy leader of the Democrat Party.

Organization

Democrat Party(พรรคประชาธิปัตย์)

A political party led by Abhisit Vejjajiva that opposes the emergency loan decree.

Ministry of Finance(กระทรวงการคลัง)ℹ️

The ministry authorized to borrow funds under the emergency decree.

House of Representatives(สภาผู้แทนราษฎร)ℹ️

The legislative body where the emergency decree was considered.

Constitutional Court(ศาลรัฐธรรมนูญ)ℹ️

The court that ruled the emergency decree was issued in accordance with the constitution.

BAAC(ธ.ก.ส.)ℹ️

A state bank that the government owes money to.

Chulalongkorn University(จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย)ℹ️

An institution where some experts cited by the Constitutional Court were from.

Thammasat University(มหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์)ℹ️

An institution where some experts cited by the Constitutional Court were from.

TDRI(ทีดีอาร์ไอ)

An organization where some experts cited by the Constitutional Court were from.

Law

Emergency Decree Authorizing the Ministry of Finance to Borrow Money to Solve Impacts from the Energy Crisis and Create Energy Transition 2026(พระราชกำหนด (พ.ร.ก.) ให้อำนาจกระทรวงการคลังกู้เงิน เพื่อแก้ไขปัญหาผลกระทบจากสถานการณ์วิกฤตด้านพลังงานและสร้างการเปลี่ยนผ่านด้านพลังงานของประเทศ พ.ศ.2569)

A decree authorizing a 400-billion baht loan for energy crisis management and transition.

Policy

Thai Chuay Thai Plus Project(โครงการไทยช่วยไทยพลัส)

A project intended to distribute funds from the first 200-billion baht loan.