Opposition Party Slams Budget As Government Aid Package
Pheu Thai Party leader Nattapong Ruengpanya criticized the government's budget proposal as inadequate and politically motivated, arguing it borrows 400 billion baht without addressing Thailand's structural economic challenges or public conf
Nattapong Ruengpanya, Pheu Thai Party list MP and party leader, concluded the three-day budget debate by assailing the government's budget proposal as inadequate to address the nation's financial crisis and future prospects. He criticized the administration not for trying to help Thailand, but for propping up the blue government's political foundations, accusing officials of borrowing 400 billion baht simply because they had run out of ideas.
Speaking at 7:50 p.m. on July 1, Nattapong noted considerable agreement with Prime Minister Srettha's earlier remarks on budget reform, saying they almost seemed scripted. He commended Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan for clarifying the government's position from day one. Pheu Thai had proposed amendments to the Budget Act for comprehensive structural reform, and Nattapong urged the government to approve the party's draft bill. He noted that true state finances vastly exceed the formal budget, encompassing state enterprise spending of roughly 4 trillion baht annually, state funds, and local government resources—with off-budget spending estimated at around 10 trillion baht total.
Nattapong stressed that restructuring budget architecture to integrate all state spending toward unified national goals and productive investment would create growth opportunities. He expressed disappointment that over three days of debate, ministers' explanations had failed to inspire public confidence in economic security or the nation's future direction.
Criticizing the budget as a mirror of government performance, Nattapong questioned whether it truly served the people or hidden interests supporting the ruling coalition. He noted Thailand's tax revenue to GDP ratio at just 14-15%—below many peer nations in the region—and warned that budget reforms appeared misaligned with decentralization goals. He cited an example: 22,000 million baht cut from provincial administration budgets was meant for decentralization, yet only 7,000 million baht reached local governments—raising questions whether this constituted genuine power devolution or merely budget cuts.
Nattapong also challenged the government's 400 billion baht borrowing decree, particularly 200 billion baht earmarked for energy sector restructuring, questioning its urgency and necessity.
