Democrats in Uproar! Party Spokesman Challenges Paradorn Over Memory Loss, Questions 400 Billion Baht Loan and Demands GDP Growth Like Abhisit Era

Democrat Party Deputy Spokesperson Siripha Intravisetchai posted a scathing response on May 9, 2025, to Deputy Prime Minister Paradorn Pattanathabouth's criticism of Democrat Vice Leader Korn Chatikavanij, who had questioned the government's 400 billion baht borrowing. Paradorn had claimed he couldn't have foreseen the need for loans, comparing himself to someone without supernatural powers. Siripha sarcastically suggested Paradorn undergo a memory assessment, reminding him that during the campaign, Bhumjaithai and their coalition partners promised to fund the Half-Price Plus and Thai Help Thai Plus programs with 440 billion baht from the budget without loans. Democrats supported helping citizens but remain concerned about the lack of transparency regarding loan usage and its potential for misappropriation, warning it could trap Thailand in long-term debt.

Siripha noted that during former PM Abhisit Vejjajiva's administration, when Korn served as Finance Minister, the government effectively used borrowed funds during the economic crisis, achieving over 7.5% GDP growth within 18 months. She challenged Paradorn to demonstrate similar efficiency. While acknowledging that the current debt-to-GDP ratio appears lower, she warned that Thailand's public debt ceiling is approaching 70%, which could lead to economic crisis and even bankruptcy if borrowed funds don't generate economic value.

Siripha concluded that as a Thai citizen and taxpayer, she has the right to question the necessity of the borrowing decree to ensure every baht of public funds is used with maximum efficiency, unless the government is an authoritarian regime unwilling to listen to dissenting voices.