Parliament Erupts Over 1.5 Billion Baht Groundwater Budget
Tensions erupted in parliament over a 1.5 billion baht groundwater project, with opposition MPs accusing the ruling Bhumjaithai Party of concentrating well-drilling sites disproportionately in their own constituencies during fiscal 2570 bud
Late on September 8, 2026, during parliamentary consideration of the fiscal year 2570 budget bill, tensions flared over the Department of Groundwater Affairs' 1.5 billion baht allocation for public well-drilling projects. Democrat MP Nattcha Bunchaiyinswat noted that of 281 planned drilling sites, 141 were located in Bhumjaithai Party constituencies, prompting accusations of partisan budget concentration.
Bhumijai Thai MP Boonchai Vongtriratai countered that his party's larger parliamentary presence and rural concentration naturally explained the distribution pattern, arguing the figures reflected geographic reality rather than favoritism. He emphasized that Bhumjaithai controlled 172 of 500 seats and dominated rural areas where water scarcity was most acute.
Nattcha responded sharply, accusing coalition partners of tolerating disproportionate benefits to secure their place in government. He alleged that the opposition had silently accepted an unfair split—140 wells for Bhumjaithai versus only 57 for his party's coalition partners—out of deference to the ruling coalition. The dispute escalated into a full parliamentary shouting match before the presiding officer cut all microphones to restore order.
