Parliament Debates Independent Agency Budget as Opposition Eyes Election Commission Spending
Parliament swiftly approved budget sections for provinces and state enterprises before turning to section 32, where opposition lawmakers are poised to challenge spending allocations for the Election Commission and other independent agencies
The parliamentary session moved swiftly through sections 28-29 with minimal debate. Attention is now fixed on section 32, the independent agency budget, where opposition lawmakers are expected to challenge spending allocations, particularly for the Election Commission.
On September 10, 2026, at 11:45 a.m., the House of Representatives gathered to debate the fiscal year 2570 budget bill in the second and third rounds, chaired by House Speaker Sophon Sarumsai. At 11:50 a.m., the chamber turned to section 28, covering provincial and multi-provincial spending of 4.27 billion baht, where only one member contributed to debate before the house voted 273-115 in favor, with 25 abstentions and 1 absent.
Section 29, allocating 73.7 billion baht for state-owned enterprises, followed the same pattern, with both sections completed in just 40 minutes due to light debate before winning assembly approval. The chamber then moved to sections 30 and 31, covering parliamentary and judiciary budgets respectively.
The focal point comes with section 32, which allocates 7.85 billion baht for independent agencies and the Office of the Prosecutor-General. Opposition members are expected to direct criticism at the Election Commission budget included in this section.
