The parliament held a marathon debate on the Ministry of Interior's 2027 budget that lasted over 4 hours. MPs expressed concern about the severe methamphetamine outbreak. 'Tawee' pointed out that some state officials are weak and have succumbed to financial power, worsening the drug problem. 'Boonruwee' proposed using Tarutao Island to establish a drug rehabilitation center.
On 9 Sep 2026 GMT+7, reporters from the parliament reported that during the consideration of the 2027 fiscal year budget bill for the Ministry of Interior, the matter attracted significant interest from the committee and 40 MPs signed up to debate. This led to a marathon session lasting over 4 hours, from 09:30 to 13:30, with about 20 MPs still waiting to speak.
Eventually, MP Pichayut Pojit from Uttaradit, representing Bhumjaithai Party, requested the meeting chairman to close further sign-ups for debate, fearing the 2027 budget bill consideration would drag on beyond the agreed three-day timeframe. However, Mallika Jirapanvanich, First Deputy Speaker of the House and meeting chair, asked the two party whips to discuss the matter themselves.
In the afternoon, MPs debated the budget for addressing drug problems, expressing concern over the methamphetamine epidemic. Police Colonel Tawee Sodson, a party-list MP from Prachachat Party, proposed cutting 20 billion baht from the Ministry of Interior's budget. He pointed out that four agencies are responsible for drug issues: the Ministry of Interior's Office, Department of Provincial Administration, Community Development Department, and Department of Local Administration. Previously, success was achieved through cooperation among provincial governors, district chiefs, police, provincial administrative organizations, and health officials. However, these officials have become enablers for drug traffickers, succumbing to financial influence. Despite rhetoric about strong communities, in practice, communities—especially border ones—are weak. Thus, social rehabilitation is crucial to solving the drug problem.
MP Boonruwee Yomjinda, a party-list MP from Ruamjai Thai Party, said solving the drug problem requires integrated work among the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Public Health, and Ministry of Justice. He suggested reallocating funds cut from various agencies to establish a comprehensive drug rehabilitation center, currently lacking, to restore addicts to society. There should be a system to transfer psychotic drug patients from community hospitals to proper treatment facilities to prevent worsening conditions. He proposed using Tarutao Island as a drug rehabilitation location, as being on an island prevents patients from leaving to cause problems. It's time to seriously address the methamphetamine outbreak and break its cycle.