Thai lawmakers delay debate on 400 billion baht emergency loan
Thailand's parliament has paused debate on a 400 billion baht emergency loan decree after opposition lawmakers challenged its constitutionality, with the Constitutional Court set to rule within 60 days.
BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand's House of Representatives has delayed consideration of a 400 billion baht ($11 billion) emergency borrowing decree pending a Constitutional Court ruling on a challenge filed by opposition lawmakers.
During a parliamentary session on May 14, 2026, Second Deputy House Speaker Lertsak Pattanachaiyakul informed lawmakers that the Cabinet had approved a royal decree authorizing the Finance Ministry to borrow funds to address the impact of the energy crisis and support the country's energy transition.
Before House Speaker Sophon Saram could place the decree on the parliamentary agenda, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the opposition People's Party, submitted a petition signed by 135 lawmakers requesting a Constitutional Court review.
The petition contends that the emergency decree may violate Section 172 of Thailand's constitution, which governs the issuance of emergency royal decrees.
According to Section 173 of the constitution, parliamentary consideration of the decree must be suspended until the Constitutional Court issues a decision.
The constitution requires the court to rule within 60 days of receiving the petition and notify the House speaker of its determination.
Should the court find that the decree violates the constitution, the measure will be declared null and void from the beginning. Such a ruling requires approval from at least two-thirds of the sitting Constitutional Court judges—currently six of the court's nine members.
According to local media reports, Sophon filed the petition with the Constitutional Court on May 12, 2026, and the court's office has confirmed receipt of the case.
