The House of Representatives passed the 3.78 trillion baht budget bill for the 2026 fiscal year in its first reading today, by 322:158 votes, ending four days of lacklustre debate.
A 73-member committee, comprising MPs from both sides of the House, has now been set up to scrutinise the bill.
On the final morning of the debate, the parliament chamber was almost empty. Reporters suggested that ministers from the Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai parties might have wanted to avoid being asked to comment on a surprising remark, made by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, that he wants the interior portfolio, currently held by Bhumjaithai Party Leader Anutin Charnvirakul, to be returned to the Pheu Thai party.
In her closing statement, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra thanked all the MPs for their consideration of the budget bill and promised that her government will make use of the budget to drive the economy, with an emphasis on issues that are recognised as being of top priority.
She said that the budget is designed to develop a sustainable economy, reduce inequalities in all respects and create fair opportunities for people to have access to resources while maintaining financial discipline.
