Breaking! Constitutional Court Accepts Petition on 400 Billion Baht Borrowing Decree; Constitutionality in Question, Cabinet Ordered to Respond Within 7 Days
Thailand's Constitutional Court accepted a petition challenging a 400 billion baht government borrowing decree for energy crisis relief, ordering the cabinet to respond within seven days on whether it violates the Constitution.
Breaking! The Constitutional Court has accepted a petition challenging a royal decree authorizing the Ministry of Finance to borrow 400 billion baht to address the energy crisis and facilitate the country's energy transition. The court has ordered the cabinet to submit clarifications and supporting documents within seven days. On May 18, 2025, judges considered whether the Decree Granting Authority to the Ministry of Finance to Borrow Funds to Address Impacts of the Energy Crisis and Facilitate the Country's Energy Transition, B.E. 2569, complies with Article 172, Paragraph 1 of the Constitution (Case No. 11/2569). A total of 133 members of parliament—constituting at least one-fifth of all parliamentary members—filed the petition through the Speaker, arguing that the decree violates Article 172, Paragraph 1 of the Constitution. They requested the Constitutional Court to rule on the matter pursuant to Article 173, Paragraph 1. After reviewing the petition and supporting documents, the court determined the case meets constitutional requirements under Article 173, Paragraph 1 and the Organic Act on the Constitutional Court's Procedures, B.E. 2561, Section 7(1). The court has therefore accepted the petition for adjudication. Exercising authority under Section 27, Paragraph 3 of the Organic Act, the court ordered the cabinet to prepare a statement addressing specific points raised by the court and submit copies of all relevant documents within seven days of receiving the court's notice.
