Veerayut, Deputy Leader of the Prachachon Party, questioned whether the government’s measures are especially generous toward contractors, allowing them to abandon projects and adjusting diesel cost assumptions up to nearly 70 baht, while raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
15 Apr 2026 GMT+7 Mr. Veerayut Kanchuchat, party-list MP and Deputy Leader of the Prachachon Party (Pchan). He revealed throughFacebookthat on 11 Apr 2026, the government introduced a major relief package for citizens and businesses, including adding 100 baht per person to the state welfare card for one month and allocating 1.6 billion baht to support transport groups. However, looking at the Ministry of Finance announcement, it becomes clear that government contractors, especially construction firms, receive special treatment. They are allowed to cancel contracts and abandon projects, and the government also permits adjusting the standard construction prices factoring diesel costs up to 69.99 baht per liter. (Previously, the highest diesel price in Thailand was 50 baht.)
Veerayut further noted that contractors benefit from five special privileges offered by the Ministry of Finance, as follows:
1. If they win a bid but find it unprofitable, they are not required to sign the contract, which is considered a reasonable excuse and not contract abandonment, with the guarantee returned.
2. If they have signed but do not wish to continue, they may negotiate a temporary work stoppage as appropriate.
3. If they have signed but not yet started work, the government agency may exercise discretion to cancel the contract and return the guarantee.
4. The standard construction prices may be increased without a specified time limit, allowing diesel costs to be factored at rates between 51.00 and 69.99 baht per liter.
5. The final clause in the Ministry of Finance announcement grants free negotiation rights: government agencies, state enterprises, and other state units are urged to expedite reallocations or changes in budget disbursement to compensate for construction work under adjustable-price contracts, as well as to revise and review conditions, criteria, and calculation methods to align with current economic conditions, accommodating volatility in oil and material prices.
Veerayut concluded by stating: “Certainly, government contractors have the right to receive assistance from the government. However, such exceptional generosity raises questions about how fairly and comprehensively the government applies its support, especially compared to other business sectors and groups of citizens facing equally severe crises. This also brings back concerns about potential conflicts of interest.”
