PM Defends Southern Border Budget, Dismisses Opposition Criticism
PM Anutin defended government spending on southern border security on September 4, dismissing opposition claims of failure and calling for substantive parliamentary debate rather than media posturing.
At Government House on 4 September, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Interior Minister responded to remarks made in parliament the previous day by Nattaphong Ruengpanyawuthti, leader of the opposition People's Party, who claimed the government had failed in its efforts to address the southern border provinces crisis. Anutin said the opposition's assertion was unfounded, stating the government does not spend budgets that then fail. He emphasized the government must ensure all state spending delivers value, carefully deliberating on expenditures rather than hastily spending whatever funds are available. When asked about the opposition's call for political courage to solve the problem, Anutin countered by saying a government cannot function without courage, and cautioned against allowing endless back-and-forth debate through the media. He pointed out that parliament has oversight mechanisms, including the ability to summon ministers to answer questions and table motions. He noted that if confidence in the government falters, opposition members can invoke Articles 151 and 152 to allow proper discussion between those questioning and those answering, rather than simply exchanging contradictory claims.
