Bangkok: The Prime Minister emphasized that the 400 billion baht loan has a singular objective: to assist the citizens. This statement comes in response to the opposition's petition to the Constitutional Court seeking an interpretation of the emergency decree that allows the government to borrow this amount. The Prime Minister firmly stated that the government has no alternative plan, asserting, "If we weren't confident, we wouldn't have issued it."
According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul addressed the issue following a Cabinet meeting. The opposition party has sought the Constitutional Court's ruling on whether the Emergency Decree, which permits the Ministry of Finance to borrow up to 400 billion baht to tackle the energy crisis and facilitate the country's energy transition, breaches the Constitution. The opposition claims that the loan lacks urgency.
The Prime Minister clarified that the government, as the country's executive branch, considers the loan an urgent necessity beneficial to the public. When questioned about the potential impact of the opposition's petition on the government's projects, the Prime Minister asserted that the emergency decree remains in effect as it has been published in the Royal Gazette. However, he acknowledged that delays might occur if parliament members secure enough signatures to bring the matter to the House Speaker's attention, requiring it to be prioritized on the agenda. He stressed that these developments are separate from the ongoing efforts to utilize the funds for public assistance.
In response to queries about a potential worst-case scenario if the Constitutional Court deems the emergency decree unconstitutional, the Prime Minister reiterated the government's commitment to aiding the people as part of its executive responsibilities. When asked about the necessity of a Plan B, he maintained, "There's only one plan: to help our fellow citizens."
Regarding the suggestion that the emergency decree might risk the positions of the entire cabinet, the Prime Minister dismissed the need for a contingency plan, stating, "It's come to this point. If we're not confident, then we shouldn't issue the emergency decree."