Pheu Thai, Democrats to cross swords
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The Pheu Thai Party and the opposition Democrat Party have ramped up their preparations for this Thursday and Friday's House debate on the Bt2-trillion borrowing bill for massive infrastructure projects.
Pheu Thai has reportedly readied details about how the Democrat-led government spent money obtained through two huge foreign loans to use as counterattacks to the expected grilling from the Democrat MPs, 40 of whom have been assigned to comb through the details of the bill and pick it apart.
Pheu Thai has set up a war room for the borrowing bill debate. Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong, Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt and PM’s Office Minister Varathep Ratanakorn have been designated as key speakers to respond to the opposition’s attacks.
Manning the war room will be senior Pheu Thai MPs and such other key figures as party secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai, Chaturon Chaisang, Sompong Amornwiwat, Noppadol Pattama, Education Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana, Chusak Sirinil and former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat. Government whip leader Amnuay Klangpa said the scrutiny should last no more than two days, as designated.
Facebook has emerged as a front in the borrowing battle, with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s official page promoting the mega-projects while highlighting their benefits, including lower logistics costs, growth in gross domestic product as well as boosting Thailand’s competitiveness and connectivity with neighbours.
Democrat MP and former finance minister Korn Chatikavanij took to his Facebook page to vow attacks on the sources of the loans, particularly how the Bt2 trillion loans would be obtained through special legislation instead of the normal budgetary process.
The government has said the borrowing bill would be promulgated as an act through the same procedures as the budget. The bill has 19 articles covering the sources of loans, the spending plans and payment conditions, as well as a 268-page appendix detailing around 100 projects.
Secretary-General to the PM Suranand Vejjajiva has defended the bill, saying that a check mechanism comprising three key state agencies would be set up to monitor the implementation, progress and transparency of payments.
