By Thai Newsroom Reporters
THE 2025 BUDGET legislation smoothly sailed through the House of Representatives tonight (June 21) after a three-day-long floor debate.
A total of 311 government MPs cast yea votes to approve in principle the 3.75 trillion baht budget bill, compared to 175 opposition MPs who cast nay votes against it.
A 72-member Budget Committee was set up with Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira chairing the extraordinary panel to scrutinise the budget bill.
Capping the marathon debate, former Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat advised not to rely on boosting GDP through domestic consumption alone but also via investment projects to be run by both public and private sectors, export earnings and increased government expenditure based on the 3.75 trillion baht budget.
Pita said the Pheu Thai-initiated, 10,000-baht digital wallet project will not be the sole solution to the country’s sustained economic slump and suggested that the Pheu Thai-led government simultaneously put forward other economy-stimulating factors.
Despite the fact that the GDP during the current fiscal year’s first quarter registered 1.5%, the finance minister confirmed without elaborating that it would rise to 2.5 to 3% by the end of the fourth quarter and forecast that it would continue to rise to as high as 5% in following years.
CAPTION:
Former Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat speaking during tonight’s 2025 budget bill debate. Top photo: Thai Rath, Front Page photo: Naewna
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