Royal Assent Granted: Anutin Unmoved by Opposition's Constitutional Court Challenge, Counters That Predecessors Also Borrowed Under 'Strong Thailand'
Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul secured royal approval for a 400 billion baht emergency loan on May 7, brushing aside opposition plans to challenge the decree at the Constitutional Court and vowing the government will proceed
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed at Don Muang Royal Thai Air Force Base on May 7, 2025 that the 400 billion baht emergency loan decree has received royal approval. He expressed confidence that opposition plans to petition the Constitutional Court would not deter the government's economic relief efforts. Anutin noted that he signed off on the decree submission to the Crown, and dismissed concerns that a constitutional interpretation case would delay aid to the public, emphasizing that everyone should work together to alleviate citizen hardship.
When asked whether a Constitutional Court challenge would stall economic recovery efforts during the mandatory 60-day review period, the Prime Minister stressed that the government represents the people's interests and must prioritize public welfare. He pointed out that this would be his eighth term overseeing such emergency borrowing, and that predecessors—including those now in opposition—had conducted similar loans. He noted the contrast, saying while previous governments used the term "Strong Thailand," his administration uses "Thai Helping Thai."
Anutin highlighted key differences in this loan structure: it uses Thai baht currency rather than foreign denominations, and all funds will reach citizens directly without intermediary projects. This direct distribution, he explained, will boost consumer spending and enhance financial liquidity circulation throughout Thailand's economy. He defended the measure as neither unprecedented nor unusual, stating it aligns with government policy and parliamentary promises made to address economic challenges.
When pressed on whether the Constitutional Court petition might impact the "Khaon Lae Khrung Plus" (People Half Plus) program and the state welfare card scheme, Anutin dismissed any connection, asserting the government remains committed to all campaign pledges and policy announcements with full sincerity.
