Bangkok: The Constitutional Court has issued an order for Mr. Pichet Chueamuangphan, the First Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, to provide clarification regarding a budget transfer by July 21. The court has denied any extension of time, dismissing the request related to the budget of three projects in the 2025 fiscal year, while accepting the decision concerning the 2026 budget.
According to Thai News Agency, the court’s decision stems from a petition submitted by the President of the House of Representatives on behalf of Mr. Phanthil Nuamchim and 121 opposition party members. They expressed concerns in line with Article 144, Paragraph 3 of the Constitution, accusing Mr. Pichet of improperly participating in the use of the 2025 budget in violation of Article 144, Paragraph 2 of the Constitution. The allegations involve Mr. Pichet’s involvement in the budget proposal for three projects under the Office of the Secretariat of the House of Representatives.
The Constitutional Court found that the 2025 Budget Expenditure Act had already become enforceable law, thus not fitting the criteria for legislative process review under Section 144, paragraph 3 of the Constitution. Consequently, the court unanimously decided not to accept the petition concerning the 2025 budget. However, it did decide to accept the petition regarding the 2026 budget with an 8 to 1 majority vote, necessitating a response from Mr. Pichet within 15 days of this resolution.
Mr. Pichet has been directed to submit a statement of defense by July 21, 2025, with no possibility for an extension. Parties involved are required to collect necessary documents from the Constitutional Court office within the specified timeframe.
Dissenting from the majority, Judge Mr. Udom Sithiwirattham argued that the actions in question did not clearly demonstrate a violation of the Constitution. He believed the actions pertained to Mr. Pichet’s administrative duties as assigned by the President of the House of Representatives and thus did not meet the required criteria for constitutional violation.
Furthermore, the court dismissed requests to suspend the disbursement of the 2025 budget for the three projects, as it had already decided not to accept the petition regarding the 2025 Budget Act. The court has scheduled a witness examination on Thursday, July 24, at 10:00 a.m. Any closing statements must be submitted in writing by Tuesday, July 29, 2025. The court will hold an oral statement, consultation, and vote on Friday, August 1, 2025, at 9:30 a.m., followed by a hearing of the verdict at 3:00 p.m.