Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha was still introducing his budget for next year as of noon today before the Thai parliament, which will debate its merits in the first such scrutiny of government spending priorities in six years.
The THB3.2-trillion plan (US$106 billion) would be an increase of about 9% over the previous year, with the lion’s share going to education and defense. But with opposition lawmakers poised to debate it for the first time since before the 2014 coup, 18 hours were allotted for today’s deliberations.
If approved, education would be allotted THB369 billion, or 11.5% of total spending.
About 7% of the budget — THB233.35 billion would be spent on defense. That’s a 2.7% increase over 2019’s THB227.12 billion and amounts to about 1.4% of GDP. The proposal calls for spending less on foreign affairs, tourism, sports and the environment, but includes hefty earmarks for stimulus spending and subsidies to stimulate the flagging economy.
When it was unveiled in August, the cabinet projected 2020 would run a deficit of over THB460 billion, an increase over 2019.
The showdown between the ruling coalition and opposition parties started at about 9am, much to the weariness of observers, who expressed their disillusionment by dispatching a slew of angry emojis to float across the official live feed of the proceedings.
In one notable moment, an emergency decree to transfer command of two army divisions out of the military and into the direct control of the king was approved 366-70, with the pro-democracy Future Forward Party standing alone to dissent on the grounds it was handled undemocratically without parliamentary review. Two abstained.
การอภิปรายของผมเป็นไปเพื่อยืนยันอำนาจการตรวจสอบฝ่ายบริหารตามรัฐธรรมนูญ นี่คือการปกป้องรักษาระบอบประชาธิปไตยอันมีพระมหากษัตริย์เป็นประมุขไว้ พ.ร.ก. ฉบับนี้ตราขึ้นมาโดยไม่เป็นไปตามรธน.มาตรา 172 ผมในฐานะผู้แทนของประชาชน จึงไม่สามารถลงมติอนุมัติพ.ร.ก.ฉบับนี้ได้- ปิยบุตร แสงกนกกุล pic.twitter.com/vIoouyg8mo
— Pannika Wanich (@Pannika_FWP) October 17, 2019
#ParliamentDebate became a top-trending hashtag on Thai Twitter when prime minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha took the microphone to open the debate by explaining how the money would be spent.
“I want you to rest Mr. Tu… please quit, sir,” Pingky Pingky commented on the broadcast.
“This is not ‘Rap Is Now,’ Uncle Tu, please slow down, I can’t follow what you’re saying,” Genji Takiya wrote of Prayuth’s signature speaking style of garrulous mumbling.
It also saw the re-emergence of #PrayuthGetOut, a popular refrain among government critics online.
Internet erupts with #PrayuthGetOut as Thai PM rants in parliament
The former junta leader still enjoys support.
“Good luck Uncle Tu! Show the children how it’s done,” Facebook user Chokdee Meechai wrote in a comment to the stream.
In the years since Prayuth seized power in 2014, his budgets have been passed unexamined by his appointed lawmakers. This is the first time his newly installed, ultraroyalist administration has faced scrutiny over its spending. If adopted, the budget will go for royal approval in January.
Related:
Thai palace wants more money for security
Thai army chief summoned by parliament over controversial speech
Thai army charges opposition parties with sedition
Choking on smog, Thais wonder why ‘Mr Google’ PM can’t solve it
Protesters disrupt Thai PM Prayuth’s speech in New York
Internet erupts with #PrayuthGetOut as Thai PM rants in parliament
Reader Interactions