Both sides get extra three hours to debate budget bill

A three-day House debate on the budget bill for the 2020 fiscal year is scheduled to begin at 9.30am today, with an extra three hours each of debating time allotted to the government and opposition benches.

Each side now has a total of 18 hours to discuss the government’s proposed 3.2-trillion-baht spending plan, said Wirach Ratanasate, government chief whip.

He was speaking after yesterday’s meeting attended by government and opposition whips who decided to add the extra hours to the debate time.

In addition to the 18 hours allotted to the coalition government in the debate, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will spend two hours presenting the budget plan, he said.

Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana reaffirmed the government’s readiness to answer and explain any questions about the spending, saying that comments and suggestions from all sides are welcome.

Mr Uttama said he is confident the budget bill will pass despite the coalition’s razor-thin majority.

He also said he was not aware of rumours circulating that certain opposition MPs will vote in favour of the budget bill.

Pichet Sathirachawal, leader and sole MP of the Prachatham Thai Party, who has previously proclaimed himself as an independent opposition member, meanwhile said his party and Mongkolkit Suksintaranont, leader of the Thai Civilised Party, another independent opposition party, have been given 20 minutes to speak during the debate. The time will be taken from the government’s quota, an unusual practice for a House debate.

Mr Pichet described this decision as “a novel move” in the House.

He denied receiving special speaking time as a trade-off for his vote for the budget bill, saying he still has the freedom to decide whether he will vote for or against the bill.