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Deputy Transport Minister Denies Blank Check for 'Borrowing Decree'

Deputy Transport Minister Denies Blank Check for 'Borrowing Decree'

Prachachat•Politics•7d ago

Reader Briefing

Thailand's Deputy Transport Minister defends the government's 400 billion baht borrowing decree, asserting it directly benefits citizens and meets legal requirements, despite opposition concerns.

  • •Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat refuted claims that the 400 billion baht borrowing decree is a 'blank check,' stating it's designed to directly aid citizens.
  • •The funds are allocated for reducing public burden from high oil prices (200 billion baht) and supporting the transition to clean energy (200 billion baht).
  • •Siripong confirmed that the government's legal team believes the decree meets all necessary conditions, and he respects the Democrat Party's right to challenge it in the Constitutional Court.
  • •He cited the insufficient remaining central budget and the approaching fiscal year 2027 (October 2025) as reasons for the urgency.

Overview

  • •Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat defended the 400 billion baht borrowing decree, stating it is not a 'blank check' but a method unfamiliar to some.
  • •The 400 billion baht borrowing decree is divided into two parts: 200 billion baht to help citizens reduce expenses due to high oil prices and another 200 billion baht to support the transition to clean energy.
  • •The government plans to disburse funds to citizens directly, potentially through projects like 'Thai Helps Thai Plus' or by subsidizing interest rates and solar rooftop installations.
  • •The decree is intended to address the immediate impact of high oil prices and to encourage citizens to switch from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources.
  • •The urgency for the decree is due to the insufficient remaining central budget, which must be reserved for national security, and the gap until the fiscal year 2027 budget becomes available in October 2026.
  • •Siripong Angkasakulkiat emphasized that the question of proceeding with the decree depends on whether the public is already affected and suffering.
  • •The Democrat Party is reportedly preparing to submit a petition to the Constitutional Court regarding the decree.
  • •Siripong Angkasakulkiat stated that future borrowing needs will be assessed once the current funds are nearing depletion.

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Source: Prachachat (Original)

Key Quotes

Siripong Angkasakulkiat
"It's probably not a blank check, but perhaps it's a method they are not familiar with."
คงไม่ใช่การตีเช็คเปล่า แต่อาจจะเป็นแบบที่เขาไม่คุ้นเคย.
Siripong Angkasakulkiat
"It's the Democrat Party's right to petition the Constitutional Court for interpretation; government legal team guarantees all conditions for issuing the decree are met."
บอกเป็นสิทธิ ปชป.ยื่นศาล รธน.ตีความ ยันฝ่าย กม.รัฐบาลการันตีเข้าเงื่อนไขออก พ.ร.ก.ทุกข้อ.
Siripong Angkasakulkiat
"The question today is, have the people been affected? Are they suffering? Is it appropriate to proceed?"
สถานการณ์วันนี้คำถามคือ ประชาชนได้รับผลกระทบแล้วหรือยัง เดือดร้อนหรือยัง สมควรที่จะทำหรือยัง.

Key Entities

Person

Siripong Angkasakulkiat(สิริพงศ์ อังคสกุลเกียรติ)
Deputy Minister of Transport and Member of Parliament for Sisaket, Deputy Leader of the Bhumjaithai Party.
Prime Minister(นายกรัฐมนตรี)
The head of government for Thailand, who has spoken clearly about the purpose of the 200 billion baht portion of the borrowing decree.

Law

400 Billion Baht Borrowing Decree(พ.ร.ก.กู้เงิน 4 แสนล้าน)
A royal decree authorizing the government to borrow 400 billion baht to address economic issues.

Organization

Democrat Party(ปชป.)ℹ️
A political party in Thailand, mentioned as planning to challenge the borrowing decree.
Constitutional Court(ศาล รธน.)ℹ️
The court responsible for reviewing the constitutionality of laws in Thailand, which the Democrat Party may petition.
Ministry of Finance(กระทรวงการคลัง)ℹ️
The government ministry responsible for financial and economic affairs, which will provide details on the implementation of the borrowing decree.
Bhumjaithai Party(พรรคภูมิใจไทย (ภท.))ℹ️
A political party in Thailand, of which Siripong Angkasakulkiat is the Deputy Leader.