Parliament Excludes 400 Billion Baht Loan Decree from Agenda Following Opposition's Constitutional Court Challenge
Parliament removed a 400 billion baht loan decree from its May 14 agenda after the opposition asked the Constitutional Court to review its constitutionality, though the government says it can already use the funds.
At 2:00 PM on May 11, 2569 at Parliament, Raween Parisnanandakul, Ang Thong MP and Bhumjaithai Party member, speaking as chairman of the government coalition coordination committee, discussed a four-party coordination meeting involving representatives from the Cabinet, opposition, government faction, and Senate held this morning. He noted that discussions covered a joint parliamentary session on May 15 to consider legislation that the Cabinet has resubmitted to parliament, including discussions on timeframe and issues for debate in each bill. Regarding the 400 billion baht loan decree that the opposition submitted to the parliament speaker for Constitutional Court review on constitutionality grounds, Raween stated that the government can proceed with implementing funds from the decree after royal approval, even with the opposition's constitutional court petition. As a result, the parliament speaker did not include the loan decree on the May 14 session agenda, making it a regular session with open and general questions. For the establishment of 35 standing committees, if the agenda is approved, the government is ready to establish them within the week. The committees will hold their first meeting on May 15 to elect chairs and assign positions, allowing each committee to begin operations the following week. When asked if the government should prepare speakers to counter opposition motions for a special committee to review the 400 billion baht loan decree, Raween stated the opposition has already petitioned the Constitutional Court, so such motions are unlikely on May 14, and parliament must wait for the court's ruling, expected within 60 days. Regarding concerns about delays in implementing the loan decree, Raween said there are no concerns as the decree signed by the Cabinet is already in effect and has been announced as law. He emphasized that submitting the decree to parliament is merely for confirmation and making it official law, but with the constitutional court petition, parliament must delay consideration pending the court's ruling. He believes that regardless of the court's decision, the parliament speaker will promptly add it to the agenda for further consideration.
