The cabinet on Tuesday approved the proposed 2027 fiscal budget along with a budget transfer bill, with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul instructing all ministers to be ready to explain their spending plans during parliamentary debates next week.
Government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said Mr Anutin encouraged ministers to use the debates to answer lawmakers’ questions and explain the government’s efforts to address national problems and improve people’s quality of life.
The proposed budget for fiscal 2027, starting on Oct 1, is 3.788 trillion baht, almost unchanged from fiscal 2026.
The cabinet also approved a budget transfer bill worth 10.3 billion baht, with first reading in the House of Representatives to take place on Thursday.
The budget bill will be debated in the House from June 29 to July 1. Ministers also approved the establishment of a 72-member committee to examine the budget bill, and a 25-member panel to scrutinise the budget transfer bill.
Meanwhile, the opposition expressed concern over the government’s fiscal position, arguing that tens of billions of baht in spending obligations remain unfunded despite the budget transfer plan.
People’s Party deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakun said opposition lawmakers were preparing for the budget, with about 30 speakers prepared to scrutinise spending plans in multiple policy areas.
Transfers short of target
She criticised the budget transfer bill for falling well short of the government’s earlier target.
While officials had previously indicated that as much as 80 billion baht could be reallocated, the final transfer amounted to only 10.3 billion, she said.
According to Ms Sirikanya, Budget Bureau officials informed the opposition that the government still faces roughly 50 billion baht in expenditures without identified funding sources.
These include compensation related to clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border, payments linked to the Orange Line rail project, and outstanding energy-related obligations.
She said the limited budget transfer leaves a funding gap of about 40 billion baht and raised questions about how the government would secure additional resources before the end of fiscal 2026.
The opposition is also expected to scrutinise the second phase of the TH-AI Passport project, which reportedly carries a budget of 900 million baht, amid concerns over ownership rights and potential duplication of spending.
The first phase of the scheme, with a budget of 1.6 billion baht, has been heavily criticised for lack of transparency, hasty procurement and concerns about its efficacy. But the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has said it would go ahead next month despite the criticism.
