Upper House has 'no plan to derail budget legislation'

Senator Phisit Apivatanapong, a spokesman for the special committee on Senate whip affairs, yesterday dismissed speculation that the Upper House is seeking to derail the 2026 budget bill, pending its review.

- AEKARACH SATTABURUTH

The 3.78-trillion-baht budget bill for fiscal 2026 passed the Lower House last Friday.

He was responding to remarks by Sen Premsak Piayura, who on Wednesday suggested the Senate’s decision to postpone deliberation of the bill from Aug 25-26 to Sept 1-2 was linked to the uncertain fate of suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

Mr Premsak had speculated that if Ms Paetongtarn does not survive the Constitutional Court's Aug 29 ruling in the audio clip case, the Senate might use the outcome as an excuse to stall the fiscal 2026 spending plan.