Opposition ready for budget debate

Lawmakers target AI-related spending

PUBLISHED : 29 Jun 2026 at 04:43

Opposition parties have lined up more than 40 MPs for the 2027 budget debate starting today, with AI-related spending among the key targets for scrutiny.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said his party had assigned about 10 to 12 MPs to participate in the debate. He said discussions would focus on the overall picture and structure of the national budget, which still relies heavily on borrowing and tax collection.

Mr Abhisit said current state revenues collected through taxation are largely consumed by recurring expenditures and debt repayment, underscoring the need to reform the budget structure.

He also criticised the 2027 budget proposal for failing to reflect rapidly changing economic and social conditions. He said Democrat Party MPs would also examine specific areas, including spending on anti-narcotics policies and education.

He questioned several tech-related projects, saying many agencies justify budget requests by citing artificial intelligence (AI), although the benefits to the country remain unclear.

People's Party (PP) leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut said his party had prepared about 30 MPs for the debate. He expressed confidence the debate would be substantive and urged the public to closely follow the three-day parliamentary session.

Regarding the controversial TH-AI Passport project, Mr Natthaphong said that although some adjustments had already been made to the draft budget, questions remained over a 1.6-billion-baht allocation from the Digital Economy and Society Development Fund. He questioned whether the government would cancel the contract and reopen the bidding process.

He added that parliamentary committees overseeing legal affairs and budget monitoring had already submitted inquiries to anti-corruption agencies to ensure transparency.

On the government side, spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul had instructed officials to fully prepare for the debate.

The proposed 2027 budget sets spending at 3.78 trillion baht, an increase of 7.4 billion baht, or 0.2%, from the previous budget. Ms Rachada said it was drafted under fiscal constraints and amid global economic uncertainty, while balancing short-term public support with long-term competitiveness.

She also highlighted the government's "investment plus" strategy, which combines investment by state enterprises, public-private partnerships, the Thailand Future Fund, the Board of Investment's investment promotion efforts, the Thailand Fast Pass programme, and investment by the private sector and local administrative organisations to stimulate broader economic growth.