At 9:00 AM on June 17, at Parliament, Ms. Sirikanya Tunsakul, a list MP from the People's Party (P.P.C.) and a member of the Special Committee on the 2026 Budget Bill, addressed the issue of broadcasting the committee's meetings. She said that during discussions on June 16, it was concluded that there would be no continuous live broadcast beyond the internal Parliament system. Despite assurances that confidential topics such as national security and foreign affairs could be discussed privately, the government side remained unconvinced, leading the opposition to back down without a vote. However, selected clips may still be used for public communication, as the committee has not prohibited this.
Asked about an incident on June 16 where MP Rakchanok Srinok reportedly cried during the session, Ms. Sirikanya said the situation was likely resolved, adding that heated debates are normal during parliamentary meetings and things had returned to normal afterward.
Commenting on the Senate’s intention to broadcast their budget meetings, Ms. Sirikanya expressed frustration, noting that senators seemed to mock the House. Senator Tewarit Maneechai suggested MPs learn from the Senate’s transparency. She hopes this sets a positive precedent and vowed to continue fighting for live broadcasts.
Regarding the budget review process, Ms. Sirikanya noted that only the Prime Minister's Office had been reviewed so far. The Ministry of Defence was scheduled for discussion but was postponed due to national security duties, and the Ministry of Finance took its place. She emphasized the relevance of this change given the country’s current economic struggles.
She also highlighted the need to scrutinize major economic stimulus packages, tax collection strategies, and revenue targets, ensuring these do not harm already burdened citizens. She stressed the importance of evaluating the effectiveness of past stimulus measures, such as direct cash handouts, to avoid repeating mistakes.
Further, Ms. Sirikanya mentioned concerns over credit rating agency assessments and the need to examine state enterprises. She cited the recent case of Airports of Thailand receiving a termination request for duty-free concessions at five airports, including Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, which could severely impact the company’s and government’s revenues.
Finally, she emphasized the need for clarity on economic stimulus spending. Some budget proposals were inconsistent—such as requests for drug rehab centers or diabetes screenings under the guise of economic stimulus—which, she argued, calls for a reassessment of agency understanding and project alignment.