Attakorn criticizes the 400 billion baht loan decree for making each Thai citizen over 6,000 baht in debt, questions whether the energy restructuring is truly urgent, and compares it to a stuffed menu hiding details within a single loan law.
On 4 June 2026, Mr. Attakorn Sirilattayakorn, Member of Parliament for Chachoengsao from the Kla Party, expressed his views on the royal decree granting the Ministry of Finance authority to borrow 400 billion baht. He noted that this decree would increase the debt burden on more than 67 million Thais by an average of over 6,000 baht each, despite knowing that the government holds a sufficient majority to push the law through parliament.
Mr. Attakorn said the government led by Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul had announced its policy to parliament on 9-10 April 2026, affirming a commitment to democracy and the rule of law. However, recent government actions, especially the suspension of the referendum after spending over 9 billion baht, reflect a departure from promises made to the public.
He added that prior to issuing the loan decree, public attention was heavily focused on the land bridge project. Yet the government swiftly shifted the political agenda by pushing the 400 billion baht loan decree instead, raising questions about whether the government is facing a fiscal liquidity crisis.
Regarding the 200 billion baht allocated for the “Thai Help Plus” program, Mr. Attakorn acknowledged the necessity of assisting citizens affected by the economic situation and international conditions. However, he raised concerns about the fairness of eligibility criteria, questioning whether vulnerable groups and low-income earners will truly benefit. If poor people do not receive aid but must bear increased public debt, it will worsen the plight of those already struggling.
He expressed particular concern about the portion of funds intended for the “energy restructuring project,” questioning whether the project’s urgency and emergency status justify its inclusion in the loan decree. Although energy restructuring may be an important policy, it is not an abrupt issue that cannot proceed through the normal budget process. Moreover, details of the project remain insufficiently clear despite its large scale and the likelihood it will take many months or years to complete.
“Today, even a single meal must list prices and ingredients for consumers, yet a massive project that all Thais must jointly repay lacks clear details for public scrutiny. Combining the energy restructuring project with the citizen assistance measures within a single loan decree is like a stuffed menu mixing many items on one plate, while the public remains unaware of what hidden ingredients it contains.”