Parliament approves 400 billion energy transition loan decree

Thairath•Politics•24m ago

Reader Briefing

The House of Representatives approved a 400 billion baht loan decree for energy transition on August 26, 2026.

•The loan decree was passed with 285 votes in favor, 141 against, and 52 abstentions.
•The decree empowers the Ministry of Finance to borrow 400,000 million baht to address energy crises and create an energy transition.
•The session took place on August 26, 2026, during the first meeting of the second annual ordinary session.

Overview

•The House of Representatives meeting occurred on August 26, 2026, starting with deliberations and ending with a vote at 20.25.
•The House of Representatives voted 285 to 141, with 52 abstentions, to approve the Emergency Decree on Empowering the Ministry of Finance to Borrow Money for Solving Energy Crisis Impacts and Creating Energy Transition 2026.
•Lawaron Saengsanit stated that a screening committee would ensure transparency and professional oversight of the loan projects.
•Ekniti Nitithanprapas stated the loan is necessary because Thailand imports large amounts of energy and natural gas, leading to a 600 billion baht deficit.
•Anutin Charnvirakul noted that the loan carries an interest rate of 1.2%.
•Ekniti Nitithanprapas emphasized that the loan is for necessary energy transition and not for stockpiling funds, noting the debt ceiling is at 70%.
•Anutin Charnvirakul committed that he and Ekniti Nitithanprapas would monitor budget spending to prevent leakage.
•Sopon Saram closed the meeting at 20.28 after the voting process was completed.

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Source: Thairath (Original)

Key Quotes

Lawaron Saengsanit

"What I want to see regarding the crisis is that Thailand must handle it better than before, and the impact on the people must be less than before."

สิ่งที่อยากเห็นเรื่องวิกฤต คือประเทศไทยต้องรับมือได้ดีกว่าเดิม ผลกระทบที่เกิดขึ้นกับประชาชนต้องน้อยลงกว่าเดิม

Anutin Charnvirakul

"Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be the Prime Minister to serve the people."

ขอบคุณ ที่ท่านให้โอกาสผมมาเป็นนายกฯ รับใช้ประชาชน

Key Entities

Person

Anutin Charnvirakul(อนุทิน ชาญวีรกูล)ℹ️

The Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.

Ekniti Nitithanprapas(เอกนิติ นิติทัณฑ์ประภาศ)ℹ️

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

Lawaron Saengsanit(ลวรณ แสงสนิท)

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance.

Sopon Saram(โสภณ ซารัมย์)

The Speaker of the House.

Organization

House of Representatives(สภาผู้แทนราษฎร)ℹ️

The legislative body that voted on the loan decree.

Ministry of Finance(กระทรวงการคลัง)ℹ️

The ministry empowered to borrow funds under the decree.

Ministry of Interior(กระทรวงมหาดไทย)ℹ️

The ministry headed by Anutin Charnvirakul.

Law

Emergency Decree on Empowering the Ministry of Finance to Borrow Money for Solving Energy Crisis Impacts and Creating Energy Transition 2026(พ.ร.ก.ให้อำนาจกระทรวงการคลังกู้เงินเพื่อแก้ไขปัญหาผลกระทบจากสถานการณ์วิกฤตด้านพลังงานและสร้างการเปลี่ยนผ่านด้านพลังงานของประเทศ พ.ศ.2569)

A decree allowing the borrowing of 400,000 million baht for energy transition.