BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand’s opposition People’s Party announced plans to petition the Constitutional Court to block the government’s proposed THB 400 billion emergency loan decree, accusing the administration of abusing executive powers and disguising long-term policy spending as urgent economic relief.
Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, joined by deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakun and MP Theera Sutheewarangkul, said the party had resolved to seek a Constitutional Court ruling against the decree before parliament votes on it on May 14. At the center of the dispute is a THB 200 billion allocation earmarked for Thailand’s energy transition and restructuring plans. Natthaphong argued that the measure fails to meet constitutional requirements for emergency borrowing, which are intended only for urgent threats to economic stability.
“The government is effectively sneaking in a blank cheque,” Natthaphong said. “The energy transition is a long-term issue that will take years, yet there are still no concrete projects or details.”
He claimed the government had bundled the energy restructuring budget together with public relief measures in order to pressure lawmakers into approving the full package. The People’s Party said it has already begun coordinating with other opposition parties to gather signatures for the court petition, which must be submitted before parliament approves the decree.
Sirikanya also criticized the government’s economic relief measures, saying ministers had given conflicting explanations over whether the aid was targeted or universal.
She noted that one minister described the package as targeted assistance for vulnerable groups, while another justified payments reaching 30 million people because “everyone is suffering.” However, the final scheme is expected to cover around 44 million people through a mix of co-payment subsidies and welfare card top-ups — leaving uncertainty over who may ultimately be excluded. “If the government believes everyone is affected, then it should provide universal assistance,” Sirikanya said. “But if it claims the aid is targeted, then it should not rely on registration systems that risk leaving out the people most in need.”
She also highlighted comments from government representatives admitting that the THB 200 billion energy transition projects have not yet been finalized and are still awaiting proposals from state agencies and screening committees. According to the opposition, this undermines the government’s claim that the borrowing is urgent. The party further accused the government of weakening fiscal discipline by focusing solely on maintaining public debt ceilings while failing to ensure spending efficiency and accountability. The Constitutional Court petition is expected to be filed by May 11–12, ahead of the parliamentary approval process scheduled for May 14. (TNA)
