Opposition Leader Targets Energy Budget Corruption Probe
Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva is preparing a no-confidence motion targeting alleged corruption in a 400-billion-baht energy transition loan, claiming selective procurement practices favor certain companies and inflate state costs.
On July 13 in Songkhla, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva discussed preparations for a no-confidence motion, noting that the party had used its 'Monitoring State' platform to audit government budget spending. He said no-confidence preparations are proceeding normally, and the opposition will consult with allied parties on corruption concerns and new issues related to government technology projects, particularly the 400-billion-baht energy transition loan, which he claims involves selective procurement practices that inflate state costs—especially in solar cell projects.
Abhisit stated that the party's monitoring platform reveals the same companies appearing repeatedly in various projects, restricting price competition and disadvantaging the state and public, ultimately enabling corruption. When asked whether the party had identified target ministers for the no-confidence debate, Abhisit said information on some ministers was still being gathered and conclusions had not yet been reached pending further opposition caucus discussion.
He emphasized that the party must maintain disciplined parliamentary performance with only 21 MPs while ensuring full transparency oversight of all policies. Abhisit also highlighted alternative proposals, such as reducing energy costs through excise tax cuts, which could eliminate the need for borrowed funds and achieve results within four months, as well as land bridge projects offering the same investment value with greater benefits for southern Thailand.
