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"Mai" Slams Gov't Decree for 400B Loan, Pushes Debt Ceiling to 2027

"Mai" Slams Gov't Decree for 400B Loan, Pushes Debt Ceiling to 2027

Thairath•Politics•25d ago

Reader Briefing

A key opposition figure criticizes the government's 400 billion baht loan decree, citing concerns over the debt ceiling and the inappropriate use of emergency powers for economic restructuring.

  • •Sirikanya Tansakun, Deputy Leader of the People's Party, criticized the government's issuance of a royal decree for a 400 billion baht loan.
  • •Concerns were raised about the loan potentially increasing the public debt ceiling by fiscal year 2027.
  • •The decree is deemed an inappropriate use of executive power for economic restructuring, which should be handled through legislation requiring parliamentary review.
  • •The 'Kob Khreung' (co-payment) program is criticized as an unsuitable method for immediate relief during the current economic crisis.

Overview

  • •On May 5, 2026, Sirikanya Tansakun criticized the government's decree for a 400 billion baht loan, stating it was like issuing a blank check.
  • •The proposed loan amount is 400,000 million baht, with 200,000 million baht for direct relief and 200,000 million baht for economic restructuring.
  • •The loan is anticipated to necessitate an expansion of the public debt ceiling by fiscal year 2027.
  • •Sirikanya Tansakun argues that economic restructuring should be addressed through a Royal Act (พ.ร.บ.) for parliamentary scrutiny rather than a Royal Decree (พ.ร.ก.).
  • •The use of the 'Kob Khreung' program for relief is deemed inappropriate for the current situation of high inflation and cost of living, as it has limitations and may exacerbate price increases.
  • •The government cited preparation for the energy crisis and economic restructuring as reasons for the loan, similar to the COVID-19 period.
  • •Sirikanya Tansakun advocated for the 200,000 million baht for direct relief to be issued as a royal decree, while the remaining 200,000 million baht for restructuring should be part of a Royal Act.
  • •The government should detail specific economic restructuring projects before seeking loan approval through a Royal Act, allowing for parliamentary review.

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Source: Thairath (Original)

Key Quotes

Sirikanya Tansakun
"The first concern is the 400 billion baht loan, which raises questions about the necessity of expanding the loan ceiling. Although it may not be needed until the end of fiscal year 2026, it will certainly be required at the start of fiscal year 2027."
ข้อน่ากังวลประการแรกคือวงเงิน 400,000 ล้านบาท ที่ยังมีคำถามอยู่ว่าจะทำให้จำเป็นต้องมีการขยายเพดานเงินกู้หรือไม่ แม้น่าจะยังไม่ต้องขยายไปจนถึงปลายปีงบประมาณ 2026 แต่เมื่อไหร่ที่เริ่มต้นงบประมาณปี 2027 ก็ต้องขยายอยู่ดี
Sirikanya Tansakun
"This is the executive branch exercising power over the parliament without any deliberation, which is disproportionate power, and should only be allowed during genuine crises or urgent necessities."
นี่คือการใช้อำนาจฝ่ายบริหารที่ข้ามหัวสภาไปเลยโดยไม่ต้องมีการพิจารณาใดๆ ซึ่งเป็นการใช้อำนาจที่ไม่ได้สัดส่วน และควรยอมให้เกิดขึ้นได้เฉพาะในช่วงที่วิกฤตหรือจำเป็นเร่งด่วนจริงเท่านั้น
Sirikanya Tansakun
"The government should consider which measures are suitable for each situation, not use the 'Kob Kleung' program every time as if it's the only project imaginable, broadcast without knowing if it will even reach those truly in need."
รัฐบาลควรพิจารณาว่าแต่ละมาตรการที่ออกมาเหมาะกับสถานการณ์แบบไหน ไม่ใช่ใช้คนละครึ่งทุกครั้งเหมือนคิดได้แค่โครงการเดียว หว่านแหแบบไม่รู้ว่าจะตกถึงผู้ที่เดือดร้อนจริงหรือไม่ด้วยซ้ำ
Sirikanya Tansakun
"Even today, the government cannot specify what the medium and long-term economic restructuring entails, beyond mentioning solar cells, solar farms, and rooftop solar."
ทุกวันนี้รัฐบาลเองก็ยังบอกไม่ได้ด้วยซ้ำว่าการปรับโครงสร้างเศรษฐกิจในระยะกลางและระยะยาวคือการทำอะไร บอกแค่ว่าจะนำไปทำโซลาร์เซลล์ โซลาร์ฟาร์ม โซลาร์รูฟท็อปไม่ได้

Key Entities

Person

Mai(ไหม)
A colloquial reference to Sirikanya Tansakun, a prominent figure criticizing government fiscal policy.
Sirikanya Tansakun(ศิริกัญญา ตันสกุล)ℹ️
Deputy Leader of the People's Party and a vocal critic of the government's economic and fiscal policies.
Aekniti Nititanpraphas(เอกนิติ นิติทัณฑ์ประภาศ)
Deputy Prime Minister who has commented on economic forecasts and the necessity of the loan.

Organization

People's Party(พรรคประชาชน)
The political party to which Sirikanya Tansakun belongs and which is involved in critiquing government policy.

Law

Royal Decree for 400 Billion Baht Loan(พ.ร.ก. กู้เงิน 4 แสนล้าน)
A royal decree authorizing the government to borrow 400 billion baht, faced with criticism for its broad scope and potential impact on the debt ceiling.
Kob Khreung (Co-payment)(คนละครึ่ง)
A government subsidy program designed to stimulate the economy by splitting costs between the government and consumers, criticized as inappropriate for current relief needs.
Article 172 of the Constitution(มาตรา 172 ของรัฐธรรมนูญ)
A constitutional article that Sirikanya Tansakun referenced as a condition for issuing a royal decree for loans, implying only 200 billion baht of the proposed loan might qualify.

Stat

Debt Ceiling in Year 70(เพดานหนี้ปี 70)
The projected public debt ceiling around the year 2027, which critics fear will be breached or require expansion due to the proposed loan.