Thai Parliament Sees Heated 'Orange vs. Blue' Debate Over Budget Bill, Deliberations May Extend

Thailand's House of Representatives is witnessing a heated exchange of words between ruling and opposition parties during the deliberation of the FY2025 budget bill. Originally scheduled from September 7-9, the proceedings have progressed slowly, making an extension of the session highly likely. The current discussions have become a battleground, particularly between the 'Orange' (People's Party, opposition) and 'Blue' (Palang Pracharath Party, a component of the government) factions. The People's Party displayed signs with the number '229', signaling pressure regarding alleged corruption involving senators. In response, Palang Pracharath MPs countered with signs bearing '44' and '143', reminding of the votes related to Article 112 of the Criminal Code (lèse-majesté) and those supporting Anutin Charnvirakul for Prime Minister. These exchanges stem from discontent over budget allocation, specifically the concentration of funds for groundwater drilling projects in certain constituencies. MP Natthacha Boonlaidinsawat of the People's Party revealed that out of 281 groundwater drilling projects funded by a 1.5 billion baht budget, 141 were concentrated in constituencies represented by Palang Pracharath MPs. He vehemently criticized this, stating, "This is the blue system. They take it all." Conversely, MP Boongjong Wongtrairat of Palang Pracharath argued that their party has 172 constituencies, many of which are rural areas genuinely lacking water, unlike the People's Party MPs whose constituencies are mostly urban, already served by the Metropolitan Waterworks. Amidst the chaos, opposition leader Natthapong Ruengpanawut warned fellow MPs that discussions about budget allocation to their constituencies could be recorded in the meeting minutes and risk violating Article 144 of the Constitution, posing a dangerous political spark. Meanwhile, Nakornwee Prissanantakul, the government's whip and an MP from Palang Pracharath, denied any intention to prolong the deliberations, stating that the opposition had used more time for their discussions than the government. He expressed a desire to conclude within the allotted timeframe. This budget deliberation conflict has evolved beyond mere allocation of state funds into a contest of rhetoric and a political game of delaying tactics, the ultimate outcome of which requires continued close observation. Source: INN News