Senator Seree Suwanpanont kicked off the Senate’s general debate against the government today by criticising the premier for acting like a salesman during his overseas visits, eroding the justice system by applying the law of the land selectively and in favour of a certain individual and under-performing without any tangible achievements, among other failures.
Seree said that the government promised to improve the lives of the people when it took office, but has failed to keep the promise and has blamed the delayed passage of the budget bill for the 2024 fiscal year.
The budget bill should have been in force since the beginning of the new fiscal year in October, but it only passed the final reading in the House last week and is now with the Senate.
The senator said that, even without the passing of the budget bill, administration of the country must continue uninterrupted and the government can seek approval from the Budget Bureau to use some money while the budget bill is still pending in parliament.
Regarding the PM Srettha Thavisin’s overseas visits to promote investment in projects in Thailand, Seree said that the prime minister should act like a CEO and should let Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai be the salesman, adding that he has no intention to insult salespeople.
Commenting on the controversial “digital wallet” scheme, the senator said that the 10,000 baht, to be distributed to all Thais who are at least 16, will be spent in just one month and it will not help stimulate the economy, as claimed by the government.
He suggested that the 500 billion baht to be borrowed to fund the scheme would be better spent on opening free kitchens in all temples, so that impoverished people can have access to free meals to fill their stomachs.
The government’s plan to resolve informal debt is a failure, as most debtors are reluctant to report to the authorities, because they are afraid of reprisals by their creditors, who are mostly influential figures, claimed Seree.
He also accused the government of the selective application of the law in favour of a certain convict, apparently referring to Thaksin Shinawatra.
He said that senators do, however, want the government to complete its term but, unfortunately for the country, there are few competent and incorrupt people in the government, while the opposition appears bent on overthrowing the Constitutional Monarchy.
The two-day debate is being held under the terms of Section 153 of the Constitution. There will be no vote.
