Govt faces accountability if 400B loan decree overturned, say Srikanya-Veerayuth

Thairath•Politics•18d ago

Reader Briefing

Opposition figures demand government accountability over a controversial 400 billion baht loan decree ahead of a Constitutional Court ruling.

•Srikanya Tansakul and Veerayuth Kanchuchat of the People's Party are demanding government accountability.
•The Constitutional Court is set to rule on a 400 billion baht loan decree on July 9, 2026.
•Concerns are raised about the latter 200 billion baht portion for energy transition, citing lack of clear objectives and potential misuse of funds.

Overview

•On July 9, 2026, the Constitutional Court will deliver its verdict on the 400 billion baht loan decree.
•Srikanya Tansakul stated that the government must be accountable if the decree is ruled problematic.
•The 400 billion baht loan decree is divided into two parts: 200 billion baht already disbursed and another 200 billion baht for energy transition.
•The opposition has petitioned the Constitutional Court regarding the 200 billion baht portion for energy transition.
•Concerns exist that the latter 200 billion baht may be used for non-urgent projects or "padding" due to a lack of clear energy transition roadmap and conditions.
•If the decree is overturned, particularly the latter 200 billion baht, the government will face difficulties in finding replacement funds and may need to issue a new decree.
•The government may issue a new decree if parts of the current one are invalidated, but will still be held responsible.
•There is a risk of funds being mismanaged and the energy transition goals not being achieved due to the lack of specific targets and a rushed spending deadline of December 2027.

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Source: Thairath (Original)

Key Quotes

ศิริกัญญา ตันสกุล

"The government must take responsibility. If the Constitutional Court rules the decree problematic, the government must be accountable proportionally to the problems it created."

รัฐบาลต้องรับผิดชอบเช่นเดียวกัน ในกรณีที่ศาลรัฐธรรมนูญมีคำวินิจฉัยออกมาว่า พ.ร.ก. มีปัญหา รัฐบาลต้องแสดงความรับผิดชอบให้ได้สัดส่วนกับปัญหาที่รัฐบาลสร้างขึ้น

ศิริกัญญา ตันสกุล

"Because the latter 200 billion baht includes non-urgent projects not affecting economic security, it appears likely projects were added last-minute, using public crisis as a front."

เพราะ 200,000 ล้านบาทหลังนอกจากจะเป็นโครงการที่ไม่ได้มีความจำเป็นเร่งด่วน ไม่ได้กระทบกับความมั่นคงทางเศรษฐกิจแล้ว ยังส่อให้เห็นถึงการตั้งโครงการเข้ามายัดไส้ แล้วก็ใช้วิกฤตของประชาชนบังหน้า

นายวีระยุทธ กาญจน์ชูฉัตร

"Because the latter 200 billion baht for energy transition has no conditions or roadmap outlining what the country's energy transition goals are."

เพราะการใช้เงินก้อน 200,000 ล้านบาทหลังสำหรับการเปลี่ยนผ่านพลังงาน กลับไม่มีการตั้งเงื่อนไขหรือโรดแมปว่าจะเปลี่ยนผ่านพลังงานประเทศด้วยเป้าหมายอะไร

Key Entities

Person

Srikanya Tansakul(ศิริกัญญา ตันสกุล)

Deputy leader of the People's Party criticizing the government's 400 billion baht loan decree.

Veerayuth Kanchuchat(วีระยุทธ กาญจน์ชูฉัตร)

Deputy leader of the People's Party and member of the special committee monitoring loan expenditures, expressing concerns about energy transition fund usage.

Organization

People's Party(พรรคประชาชน)

Political party whose members are critical of the government's fiscal policies, specifically the 400 billion baht loan decree.

Constitutional Court(ศาลรัฐธรรมนูญ)ℹ️

The judicial body responsible for ruling on the constitutionality of laws and decrees.

Pracharat Fund(กองทุนประชารัฐ)

A fund that has received disbursements from the initial 200 billion baht of the loan decree.

Special Committee to Monitor and Audit Loan Expenditures(คณะกรรมาธิการวิสามัญติดตามและตรวจสอบการใช้จ่ายเงินกู้)

A parliamentary committee responsible for overseeing the use of borrowed funds, of which Veerayuth Kanchuchat is a member.

Law

400 Billion Baht Loan Decree(พ.ร.ก.กู้เงิน 400,000 ล้าน)

A government decree authorizing the borrowing of 400 billion baht, currently under review by the Constitutional Court.

Thai Chuy Thai+ Project(โครงการไทยช่วยไทย+)

A project reportedly funded by the first 200 billion baht of the loan decree, which has already been disbursed.