Parliament Forms Committee for 400 Billion Baht Loan Scrutiny; Sirikanya Criticizes Government's Actions

Matichon•Politics•24d ago

Reader Briefing

Thai Parliament establishes a special committee to oversee a 400 billion baht government loan, amid criticism of the government's decision-making and fiscal policy.

•The Thai Parliament has voted to establish a 25-member special committee to scrutinize a 400 billion baht government loan.
•The committee has a 90-day timeframe to complete its review.
•Opposition MP Abhisit Vejjajiva criticized the government's handling of the loan, arguing it was unnecessary and not aligned with principles.
•Concerns were raised about the loan's impact on public debt and the targeting of relief measures.

Overview

•Parliament voted to establish a special committee (Komathee.-Wi-samun) with 25 members.
•The committee will scrutinize a government loan totaling 400 billion Baht.
•The committee has a mandate to complete its study and deliberations within 90 days.
•Opposition MP Abhisit Vejjajiva raised concerns, stating that if the government had not acted rashly, the committee would not be necessary.
•Abhisit Vejjajiva questioned the government's adherence to the stated '5T' principles regarding targeted relief measures.
•Concerns were raised that the loan, coupled with existing debt, will leave little room for investment and development.
•The government's decision to borrow 400 billion Baht is based on a claimed crisis that the opposition believes is manageable through other means.
•The committee is tasked with investigating the necessity and implementation of the 400 billion Baht loan.

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Key Quotes

Abhisit Vejjajiva

"If the government didn't act rashly, there would be no need for this committee."

ถ้ารบ.ไม่ลักไก่ คงไม่ต้องมาบี้ให้ตั้งแบบนี้

Abhisit Vejjajiva

"Even more so, loans are being taken out to give to people to buy more expensive goods."

ยิ่งมีการกู้เงินมาแจกให้ประชาชนมาซื้อของที่แพงขึ้น

Abhisit Vejjajiva

"We must at least thank the Finance Minister for advertising globally that we are following the 5T principles, which members have already debated. At least the last T is somewhat acceptable, but the other 4Ts, looking at past decisions, do not align with those principles."

ที่ท่านรมว.คลังไปโฆษณาทั่วโลกว่าเรากำลังทำตามหลักการ5 ข้อ 5T ที่สมาชิกอภิปรายไปแล้ว อย่างน้อยก็ต้องขอบคุณที่ให้ตั้งกมธ.วิสามัญ ซึ่งT ตัวสุดท้ายยังพอฟังขึ้นบ้าง ส่วนอีก4T เราดูจากการตัดสินใจที่ผ่านมาไม่ได้สอดคล้องกับหลักการดังกล่าวเลย

Abhisit Vejjajiva

"I saw the minister registering and using the Thai Chana Plus app. I ask if this is targeted, or are we letting our children incur debt so the Finance Minister can spend?"

ผมเห็นภาพท่านรัฐมนตรีลงทะเบียนแล้วไปใช้แอปไทยช่วยไทย พลัส ผมถามว่านี่ถือการมุ่งเป้า หรือว่าเรากำลังให้ลูกหลานมาใช้หนี้เพื่อให้รัฐมนตรีคลังไปใช้จ่ายได้ มันไม่ใช่

Key Entities

Organization

Parliament(สภาฯ)ℹ️

The legislative body of Thailand that approved the formation of a special committee.

Committee(กมธ.)

A special committee established by Parliament to scrutinize a government loan.

Democrat Party(พรรคประชาธิปัตย์)ℹ️

The political party represented by Abhisit Vejjajiva and Korn Chatikavanij, which is critical of the government's loan and fiscal policies.

Cabinet(ครม.)

The governmental body that approved the Emergency Decree for the 400 billion Baht loan.

Constitutional Court(ศาลรัฐธรรมนูญ)

The judicial body where disputes regarding the legality of the Emergency Decree are being contested.

Ministry of Finance(กระทรวงการคลัง)ℹ️

The ministry whose Permanent Secretary chairs the committee responsible for approving projects under the loan.

Law

Emergency Decree(พ.ร.ก.)

The legal instrument authorizing the government to borrow 400 billion Baht.

Thai Chana Plus(ไทยช่วยไทย พลัส)

An application mentioned in the context of government relief measures, questioned for its targeting and effectiveness.

State Welfare Card(บัตรสวัสดิการแห่งรัฐ)

A welfare program where recipients are reportedly being disqualified due to new policies related to the loan's implementation.

Person

Abhisit Vejjajiva(อภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ)ℹ️

Member of Parliament (List-MP) and leader of the Democrat Party, who voiced strong opposition to the government's loan policy.

Korn Chatikavanij(กรณ์ จาติกวณิช)ℹ️

Member of Parliament (List-MP) and Deputy Leader of the Democrat Party, whose motion for the establishment of a special committee was highlighted.