After two months of the Budget Committee’s debate, 16,362 billion baht has been allocated to the central budget.
Translation: Instead of allocating the budget directly to the departments and local administrations lacking in resources to fight COVID-19, they give the money directly to General Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Because, you know, he has been doing such a wonderful job.
According to Move Forward’s MP Srikanya Tansakul, the debate was complemented by the threat of Article 144.
Article 144 states whoever causes the abuse of duty by giving or receiving wealth to/from government officials or representatives will face not more than five years imprisonment and/or not more than 100,000 baht in fine.
Translation: Give the general the money or else.
MP Srikanya said the central budget lacks transparency. Pheu Thai MP Yuttapong Charasathien argued the budget is meant to help the people. So there’s nothing wrong with it.
Pheu Thai MPs voted to give the money to General Prayut.
MP Yuttapong went on Voice TV and declared the entire Pheu Thai Party’s MPs are from direct votes, not party-list, unlike Move Forward MPs, implying Pheu Thai knows better the people’s suffering. Furthermore, he guaranteed budget oversight.
On social media, he accused Move Forward of misleading the people.
Both Clubhouse and Twitter exploded with condemnations against Pheu Thai, bringing back the rumors that Pheu Thai means to work out a deal and join the government coalition.
In the bigger picture, Thaksin Shinawatra has been scoring many points from the newer generation via social media channels, waxing poetic about managing a country and a crisis. Many even say the newer generation is preferring Thaksin to Thanathorn Juangrungruangkit.
But, the foundation he has been building on words was yesterday shaken by Pheu Thai’s actions.
Social media’s verdict is Move Forward puts money where their mouth is, Article 144 be damn. Pheu Thai puts money where General Prayut’s mouth is, don’t damn us with Article 144.
Here’s an idea: All committee meetings should be televised live. Let the people know who are the real heroes and zeros.
2021-08-04