At 1:00 PM on May 26 at Parliament, Mr. Pakornwut Udompipatsakul, party-list MP and chairman of the opposition whip from the People’s Party (PP), addressed the media on the opposition’s preparedness to debate the 2026 fiscal budget bill. He stated that time allocation among opposition parties had been finalized, with Palang Pracharath receiving 3 hours, Thai Sang Thai and Fair parties getting 30 minutes each, and the People’s Party allotted 16 hours. Around 50 PP members will participate in the debate, each covering distinct issues with a focus on detailed and differentiated scrutiny compared to previous years.
Mr. Pakornwut emphasized that amid Thailand’s economic crisis, government spending must be efficient to aid recovery. Therefore, many speakers are needed to ensure comprehensive coverage of all ministries and to identify unnecessary expenditures. In committee and subcommittee stages, members are instructed to thoroughly review each budget item and recommend cuts for reallocating funds to more beneficial uses.
He urged the public to watch not only the initial parliamentary debate but also the upcoming three-month committee phase, where budget cuts may later be reversed or redirected to ineffective projects. For example, the controversial digital wallet budget is questioned due to vague implementation and rushed proposals, especially concerning the involvement of local governments.
In response to questions about potential corruption, Mr. Pakornwut acknowledged suspicions that those who gain early knowledge of project proposals may exploit this advantage, possibly leading to profiteering or illicit kickbacks.
Key PP debaters include party leader Mr. Natthapong Rueangpanyawut and deputy leader Ms. Sirikanya Tansakul. Each will focus on specific sectors such as agriculture, education, and water management, with the main emphasis on cutting unnecessary expenditures to better target economic recovery.
When asked whether new MPs are given more opportunities, Mr. Pakornwut replied that distinctions between new and old MPs are irrelevant now, as all have two years of experience. Some who won’t debate publicly have still worked intensively in budget committees.
He added that the opposition will determine its voting stance on May 27 after internal party discussions. If the budget is deemed ineffective, they may vote against it.
Regarding the reported rift between the Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai parties, Mr. Pakornwut said he had no inside information and doesn’t view it in terms of political gain or loss, but rather whether it benefits the country. He stressed that the cabinet must prioritize the people’s interests over political bargaining.
Asked about the possibility of a House dissolution after the budget vote, he believed no government prefers early dissolution unless necessary. However, the PP is ready for elections if tensions prevent the government from making decisions in the people’s best interests.
Regarding potential political incidents around June 13, he said they are always prepared for unexpected developments and have already identified a prime ministerial candidate—currently the party leader—though further details remain undecided.