Opposition Leader Demands Budget Overhaul Amid Deficit Crisis
The leader of Thailand's Pracharaj Party called the fiscal year 2570 budget a "hidden financial crisis," citing a 788 billion baht deficit and arguing revenue projections are unrealistic while the tax system unfairly burdens ordinary citize
On June 30, 2026, Pol. Lt. Col. Thawee Sodsong, leader of the Pracharaj Party, posted on Facebook calling the fiscal year 2570 budget "a hidden financial crisis requiring emergency surgery," noting the national account faces negative balances and mortgaged future revenues.
The government's proposed spending budget for fiscal year 2570 totals 3.78 trillion baht distributed across 3,286 agencies, but projects only 3.0 trillion baht in net revenue collection, creating a gap requiring 788 billion baht in additional borrowing. Thawee argued this revenue projection is unrealistically optimistic, pointing to fiscal year 2568 results where the government fell 138.1 billion baht short of its 3.316 trillion baht collection target, actually collecting only 2.783 trillion baht.
He criticized the current tax structure for protecting wealthy interests while burdening ordinary citizens through indirect taxes on value-added and petroleum products embedded in everyday expenses. Large corporations and multinational companies enjoy BOI Board privileges and various tax incentives while direct taxation on corporate profits remains unreformed.
Thawee highlighted three critical disparities in the budget:
1. **Civil Service vs. Elderly Citizens**: The 3 million government employees and staff receive 1.4355 trillion baht (37.9% of total budget), including 852.671 billion baht in direct personnel costs and 572.62 billion baht hidden in central accounts for pensions, medical care, and compensation. In stark contrast, 14 million elderly citizens receive only 101.54 billion baht in pensions—roughly 14 times less despite greater need.
2. **Multi-Year Commitment Lock-in**: The budget contains 1.76 trillion baht (44.3% of total) in multi-year obligations that lock spending into monopoly concessionaires and corporate interests, limiting fiscal flexibility.
3. **Structural Inequality**: Grassroots citizens pay regressive taxes funding every meal and fuel purchase while subsidizing government benefits and corporate tax breaks, deepening inequality.
