Bangkok: Sutin Khlangsaeng, a Member of Parliament for the Pheu Thai Party, has publicly praised the government for its efforts in solving national issues and effectively organizing the 69 budget, as the House of Representatives continues to deliberate the 2026 Budget Expenditure Act draft, valued at 3.78 trillion baht.
According to Thai News Agency, Sutin countered opposition claims that the military budget should not be evaluated using traditional standards, emphasizing the need to consider prevailing tensions across various fronts. He criticized the opposition for undermining the country by labeling it a ‘failed state,’ while supporting the government’s budgetary allocation as necessary and in accordance with fiscal discipline and national strategy.
During the fourth day of deliberations, Sutin highlighted four critical frameworks for evaluating the national budget: compliance with relevant laws, alignment with national strategy and reform plans, the ability to meet the country’s needs, and satisfaction of the MPs and House of Representatives, who are seen as the people’s voice. Despite personal dissatisfaction with the budget’s size due to financial constraints, Sutin acknowledged the necessity of the allocation to stimulate economic development within the confines of fiscal discipline.
Sutin noted the historical context of budget borrowing, defending it as a strategic necessity for economic recovery, with previous government budgets often constrained by high regular expenses and insufficient economic stimulus. The current budget reflects an effort to manage regular expenses while addressing treasury debt repayment to bolster fiscal health and confidence.
He further explained that while the investment budget has decreased, it is aimed at improving fiscal status and repaying debts. Compliance with constitutional and fiscal discipline laws was emphasized, with the budget aligning with expanded national strategic plans, especially concerning human resource development and social equity.
Sutin likened budget allocation to medical treatment, stressing the importance of correctly diagnosing national issues and allocating resources accordingly. The budget prioritizes addressing economic challenges, highlighted by high household debt and low economic growth, with investments aimed at stimulating the economy through various sectors.
The debate also touched on the central budget’s adequacy in managing crises like natural disasters, with Sutin advocating for mid-year budget adjustments when necessary. He acknowledged concerns about declining income for farmers and SMEs but pointed to government strategies involving both national and external budgets to address these issues.
On the military budget, Sutin argued that security needs should be assessed based on global and regional tensions rather than static historical bases, advocating for flexible allocations responsive to situational demands.
In conclusion, Sutin appealed for approval and support of the budget framework, acknowledging the inherent limitations faced by the government. He urged for constructive criticism and emphasized the shared goal of benefiting the nation despite differences in approaches and perspectives between government and opposition. The budget bill is set to proceed to further readings before final approval, with the hope of serving the country’s and the people’s interests effectively.