The People's Party resolved to petition the Constitutional Court to block the government’s 400 billion baht loan decree, criticizing it as a blank check used for energy restructuring, which is not an urgent matter. Natthapong said the party will rely mainly on the People's Party draft and welcomes other opposition parties to co-sign. The earliest submission is planned for next Monday.
On 7 May 2026 at 14:00 in front of the parliamentary press room, the People's Party, led by Natthapong Ruangpanyawut, party leader, along with Sirikanya Tansakul, deputy leader, Teera Suthewarangkul, party-list MP and legal advisor, held a press conference to state the party's position on the government's 400 billion baht loan decree.
Natthapong said the People's Party MPs resolved to use their authority to file a petition under Section 173 of the Constitution to the Constitutional Court regarding the government's 400 billion baht loan decree. He said the government is trying to sneak in a blank check loan of 200 billion baht to fund the country's energy transition by using public aid funds as collateral. He explained that this decree bundles two plans into one, and the blank check loan is questionable since the energy transition will take many years. The party has yet to see detailed project information to confirm whether the 200 billion baht loan fits the decree's conditions, especially as it combines with public aid funds. Therefore, the party is ready to exercise legislative authority to file the petition with the Constitutional Court.
When asked whether they would co-sign with the Democrat Party, Natthapong said they welcome other opposition parties to join in signing. Discussions with other parties are already underway. However, it is important to be cautious not to overextend the Constitutional Court's jurisdiction. Thus, the People's Party's petition will serve as the main draft for submission.
When asked if the second loan portion conflicts with the constitution, Natthapong said the first loan also has issues. Sirikanya has already expressed that the aid is random and not targeted as the government claims. Nonetheless, the decree grants power to the executive branch in cases of economic security. The party is concerned the executive may be overstepping its authority, especially regarding the 200 billion baht loan for energy transition.
When asked about ministers’ explanation that everyone is suffering and thus aid is justified, Natthapong said the party tried parliamentary mechanisms to summon ministers for answers. The opposition hoped Prime Minister would assign Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Aeknithi Nitithanprapas to respond, but instead Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office Pradorn Prissanantakul answered. Despite multiple questions in the live session, no clear answers were provided.
Sirikanya added that Pradorn said 30 million people are suffering, so aid must reach them all. If that is true, aid should be universal. However, Aeknithi said the government wants targeted aid for vulnerable groups. Yet, the aid details suggest near-universal coverage, potentially covering around 50 million people. This includes the half-half co-payment scheme and top-ups to welfare cards, totaling about 44 million people, meaning some suffering people might be missed. The party does not oppose public aid but calls for appropriate tools and methods. If everyone is suffering, then universal aid should be given, without pretending to target specific groups.
"If you want targeted aid, you should not use a first-come, first-served registration method that leaves truly needy people out or lets non-needy people receive benefits," Sirikanya said.
Sirikanya further said Pradorn admitted the 200 billion baht loan still requires project proposals to be submitted by agencies and approved by a screening committee. He also admitted that aid would be borrowed this year, but energy transition borrowing would be next year, underscoring that this is not an urgent project. The party’s petition to the Constitutional Court will focus on whether this concerns economic security. Whether it is urgent or avoidable will be considered by parliament.
"Fiscal discipline is not only about debt ceilings but also about spending efficiently and according to objectives. Ministers responded with prepared statements, claiming fiscal discipline remains intact because public debt ceiling has not been breached. I did not ask that, but it seems to comfort the government that everything is fine and fiscal discipline is maintained. However, anyone with insight knows fiscal discipline has already been broken. In a crisis, strict fiscal discipline is less applicable, yet the government contradicts itself by claiming to maintain discipline when it actually does not," Sirikanya said.
Natthapong added that the Constitutional Court petition is being coordinated with other opposition parties and must be submitted by 11–12 May to comply with the constitutional requirement to file before parliament approves on 14 May.
