Parliamentary debate on an emergency decree authorizing massive borrowing to tackle the energy crisis and fund the energy transition faces a potential delay of months. Officials confirm the decree remains in effect following its gazette publication.
Opposition Petition to Constitutional Court
Opposition MPs, led by Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut of the People’s Party, filed a petition with the Constitutional Court on Monday. The filing questions whether the decree violates Section 172 of the constitution by empowering the Finance Ministry to borrow a substantial sum.
House Speaker Sophon forwarded the petition to the court on Tuesday, where the office promptly registered the case. Although the government added the decree to the parliamentary agenda on Monday, Sophon has withheld scheduling the debate.
Sophon explained that parliamentary rules allow suspension of agenda items during Constitutional Court reviews to ensure compliance and maintain order. As a result, deliberation halts until the court delivers its ruling.
Government Stance and Opposition Concerns
The government maintains the decree’s validity post-gazette, allowing immediate implementation.
Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the Democrat Party, voiced strong opposition during a speech at party headquarters. He warned that the borrowing plan risks escalating economic vulnerabilities and eroding fiscal discipline.
“Alternative measures exist to aid the public without swelling the debt load,” Abhisit stated. He contended the current economy—boasting 1.5% growth and rising industrial output—does not warrant emergency borrowing powers.
