After three days of debate, the House of Representatives passed the 3.1 trillion baht spending budget bill for 2022 fiscal year in its first reading, with 269 votes in favour, 201 against and two abstentions late Wednesday night.

The House then set up a 72-member budget scrutiny committee,to scrutinize the bill for 105 days. The committee is made up of 18 representatives of the cabinet, 30 from government parties and 24 from opposition parties. The first meeting is scheduled for Friday.

In his closing speech, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha thanked all MPs for the recommendations and observations made during the debate and gave an assurance that his administration will make use of the budget efficiently and transparently, in the national interest, and to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crises.

He insisted that he is not a dictator, as claimed by his detractors,as he has to work with all politicians, adding that he has changed in some ways, but still raises his voice occasionally, because he gets frustrated and would like to apologise.

The prime minister admitted that, these days, he is not happy at all and will not be if the Thai people are not, as he promised to do his best for the betterment of the people and the country.