Bangkok: Kanwee Sipsang, a party-list MP of the Tham Party, has articulated four primary reasons for his opposition to the proposed 2026 fiscal budget bill.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Kanwee criticized the government’s lack of professionalism in drafting the budget, highlighting the absence of leadership, an understanding of urgent national needs, and a coherent approach to internal and external security.

Mr. Kanwee expressed concerns over the government’s inability to produce a budget that reflects the country’s real challenges. He emphasized that civil servants have been following outdated budgeting practices, failing to address the specific issues faced by various ministries. The MP underscored the need for a visionary approach to identify and resolve the country’s problems, which he finds lacking in the current draft.

He further criticized the leadership within government agencies, questioning their capacity to effectively identify and communicate the nation’s problems. Kanwee suggested that, given the current inefficiencies, it might be more beneficial to allow permanent civil servants or secretaries to take charge of the budgeting process.

Addressing the budget’s failure to prioritize urgent needs, Mr. Kanwee stressed the importance of problem-driven budgeting rather than the current practice of budget-driven planning. He pointed out that the 3.78 trillion baht budget was being allocated without a clear understanding of the country’s pressing issues.

Mr. Kanwee also raised concerns about national security, particularly in relation to border areas and neighboring countries. He cited examples such as pollution from mining activities along the Kok, Sai, Ruak, and Mekong Rivers, and the potential dangers posed by nuclear power plants in Myanmar near the Thai border. He emphasized the lack of preparedness to address these security threats and the absence of strategic discussions at the ministerial level.

The MP highlighted the environmental and geopolitical implications of regional development projects, like the EEC and Funan Teso projects in Cambodia, which could impact Thailand’s economic interests. He questioned the lack of coordination and strategic planning to mitigate these potential impacts.

Mr. Kanwee also commented on the ongoing issues in Thailand’s southern border provinces, where significant budget allocations have not yielded peace or stability. He questioned the effectiveness of current government policies and the contradictory nature of budget allocations in these regions.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Kanwee criticized the inefficiency of the budget preparation process, citing an example of a costly medical project in Chiang Rai Province. He called for transparency and accountability in budget allocations, urging the government to prioritize the country’s urgent needs over inefficient spending.