Bangkok: Pichai, Minister of Finance, explained that the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has resolved to accept the petition accusing the Prime Minister of using the 2025 budget in violation of Section 144 of the Constitution. He emphasized that he did not violate the law. There was no deduction of principal or interest. The budget was definitely not used in the wrong way.

According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunwachira stated that the NACC decided to accept the case accusing Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra and hundreds of others of drafting the 2025 budget bill in violation of Section 144, paragraphs one and two of the Constitution. This includes two cases, one of which involves digital money. Pichai mentioned that he had not seen this issue firsthand but had heard about it from external sources. He expressed the need to wait for opinions, as he did not anticipate any problems and was unaware of the specific issues.

Regarding the petition to the NACC, it claims that the Cabinet cut the budget in the principal and interest expenses that were supposed to be used but were instead allocated to the digital 10,000 baht handout project. Mr. Pichai insisted that the budget was not cut as previously claimed. He firmly stated that there was no reduction at all.

As for the alleged cut in bank compensation, Mr. Pichai clarified that the bank issue does not involve principal or interest. He confirmed that the budget was not reduced, asserting that it was handled according to the law, and he maintained his original stance.