Bangkok: Natthaphong Ruangpanyawut, a prominent party-list MP and leader of the Prachachon Party, has sharply criticized the Thai government’s 2016 budget, claiming it fails to adequately address the ongoing economic crisis and other pressing issues. He alleged that the government is using parliament and MPs merely as rubber stamps and emphasized the urgent need for budget reform to ensure the economic prosperity of the country.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Natthaphong, who also serves as the leader of the opposition in the House of Representatives, expressed concerns over the overall budget allocation for the fiscal year 2016. He described the allocation as thoughtless and lacking depth, with recurring issues across all ministries. He stressed that the investment budget has not been appropriately allocated to secure the country’s future and called for a reduction in the 2016 budget framework to preserve fiscal space for long-term development.

Mr. Natthaphong highlighted that Thailand is currently contending with two crises: the Thai-Cambodian border crisis and low government support, which are exacerbated by political instability and legal proceedings. He criticized the government’s amendment to the budget for not addressing these crises nor the trade war, questioning the frameworks prepared to prevent and create beneficial investments. He stated that past performance reviews showed only modest budget reductions and criticized the government’s lack of strategic allocation.

Despite attempts to cut investment costs, Mr. Natthaphong noted that the government’s amendment redirected funds to regular expenditures instead of necessary investments. He criticized the lack of careful budget allocation, emphasizing that the government failed to address the current crises and wars adequately. He argued that the process is dismissive of parliament and lacks transparency, asserting that if he had executive power, he could have addressed these issues effectively.

Mr. Natthaphong warned that without reforming the budget system, which is possible without legal amendments, the state would never be able to manage national spending efficiently. He underscored the need for new investments to drive future growth in Thailand, calling for budget provisions that would boost investor confidence and support industries like reforestation, clean energy, and sustainable agriculture.

He concluded by highlighting the government’s duty to clearly announce investment goals, which should include eco-friendly initiatives and collaborations with the private sector, to foster economic development and political stability.