Opposition bloc to vote against budget bill in first reading

MOVE Forward Party and opposition leader Chaithawat Tulathon said at press conference at 3 p.m. today (Jan. 5) that the opposition whips had resolved to not vote for the 2024 budget bill, totaling 3.48 trillion baht and accounting for a 9.3% increase from that of last fiscal year.

He added that he was confident opposition MPs would not break ranks.

While the budget bill would definitely be approved in the first reading, the opposition parties will follow up on scrutinising it in the second and third readings.

Democrat Party’s deputy leader Pramuan Phongthawaradej said he is confident no members will break ranks and vote for the budget bill. However the party is one MP short as this person is currently hospitalised.

Meanwhile Prime Minister-cum-Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin said towards the end of the three-day fiscal 2024 budget bill debate he had further clarification to make about the southern region.

In pointing out that upon becoming the prime minister he had gone to the South many times, Srettha added he had also launched megaprojects particularly the Land Bridge scheme and expansion of Phuket Airport.

This will lift economic well-being of the people in the South which would decrease the violence in the three southernmost provinces.

He added that at the end of next month he will be visiting the three southernmost provinces but this is not to look at security issues but to assess the economy and find ways to boost tourism there.

Srettha added that there were a lot of things people do not know about these three provinces with an example being that Yala has the best city plan in the country.

While Yala has an airport, it has now closed. But to promote tourism it has to be reopened with this necessitating negotiating with the neighbouring country to allow jet planes to make a detour to land there because currently only propeller planes can do so, he added.

CAPTION:

Top and Front Page: Opposition parties led by Move Forward leader  Chaithawat Tulathon briefing the press about their stance this afternoon, Jan. 5, 2024.

Insert: Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin speaking at Parliament today, Jan. 5, 2024. All photos: Matichon

Also read: PM taken to task over Thaksin case during budget debate

Justice Minister defends Thaksin over prolonged stay outside prison

Govt urged to cancel Chinese submarine deal

MPs warned against mentioning ‘untouchable’ Thaksin during budget debate