Democrats Press Government to Delay Budget Vote Until After September 14

The Democrat Party has sent a message to the government requesting that Parliament avoid discussing the Election Commission's report before September 14. If the budget debate extends too long and a vote cannot be completed today, they propose continuing on Friday instead. At 4 p.m. on September 9, 2025, Democrat list MP Phakmun Hunnanont gave an interview about the 2570 fiscal year budget bill debate. According to the planned discussion schedule, the session should have concluded today, but as of 4 p.m., only one section—Section 20 of the Interior Ministry budget—had been reviewed. Hunnanont stated that completion seems unlikely, and as the opposition, they are calling for the budget to be fully considered as originally planned.

"The situation keeps changing because Parliament never established a rule to close the registration period, so names are constantly being added. What we estimated would take two hours on this section has stretched to three or four hours," Hunnanont said. When asked whether she suspected the government MPs were deliberately prolonging debate, Hunnanont suggested there was a hidden political motive to prevent the budget discussion from finishing on schedule. According to the original plan, September 10 was set for considering a motion on three southern border provinces, followed by the Election Commission's report. Hunnanont believes the attempts to delay the budget vote are designed to avoid discussing the Election Commission's report.

Hunnanont said the opposition would propose continuing the budget discussion on September 11, which would satisfy both the opposition and government. However, if there are attempts to change the regular agenda for September 10, that would clearly show an effort to delay the budget and obstruct discussion of the Election Commission's report. She added that she had been informed the Election Commission asked not to be affected until September 14, and if the Commission could be protected, discussions might proceed smoothly. When asked whether this suggested the 229-member votes might not be counted, Hunnanont said she does not know how the Election Commission will decide, but urged the public to watch for political motives. If people are willing to allow investigation and prosecution to proceed, it should follow the regular agenda and let the Election Commission decide. However, she believes attempts to prevent discussion of the Election Commission's report go too far and suggest excessive protection of the Commission. When asked whether the national budget was being wagered against the Election Commission's interests, Hunnanont said if someone thinks that way, she cannot change their mind. But if the budget review is conducted sincerely and legislators are given full opportunity to express opinions, the opposition would be willing to continue on Friday if the debate does not finish today.