Abhisit criticized the 2570 budget as risking violation of fiscal discipline and suggested cutting 150 billion baht to ensure fiscal space remains below the public debt ceiling.
On 7 September 2026, Abhisit Vejjajiva, party-list MP and leader of the Democrat Party, argued for cutting 150 billion baht from the budget, expressing disappointment that the committee failed to trim excess spending to create fiscal space. He cited the Finance Minister's warning of multiple ongoing crisis waves and believed that cutting this amount would keep fiscal space below the debt ceiling, allowing reallocation toward investments to enhance national capacity and increase welfare for students and the elderly. He stressed that addressing the country's budget structure and traps requires honesty, noting concerns that the 2570 budget bill draft risks violating Section 20(1) of the Financial Discipline Act, which mandates 20% of the budget be for investments. Although calculations showed only a 1.7 billion baht excess, the committee did not question whether expenditures counted as investments were truly investment expenses. Two items were flagged as non-investment expenses: first, the emergency reserve of 100 billion baht, which included 60 billion baht labeled as investment expenses despite lacking specific projects or plans.
Abhisit pointed out the second item: 4.5 billion baht for government cloud service fees, which clearly are not investment expenses but operating costs. He questioned why the truth was not told and raised concerns that globally, Thailand appears not to enforce laws fairly, with authorities lacking accountability. He pledged to continue monitoring and investigating any improper budget spending.
After members completed debate on Section 4, the assembly voted to approve it with 281 votes in favor, 133 against, 46 abstentions, and 1 not voting.