BANGKOK, Dec 12 – The Constitution Court has accepted for consideration two petitions concerning the government-sponsored bill to borrow Bt2 trillion for infrastructure development.
Pimon Thampitakpong, court spokesman, said the judges unanimously agreed to study the cases which charged lawmakers with voting for those who were absent from the parliamentary session, and the government for unlawfully submitting the bill on Bt2 trillion in loans for parliamentary deliberation.
Opponents said the bill was drafted in violation of the national budgeting procedure as stipulated in the Constitution.
Mr Pimon said the judges will have to discuss guiding principles for the ruling, ask for relevant documents, and question individuals including academics for opinions.
Chula Sukmanop, director of the Transport, Traffic Policy and Planning Office, said the government’s Bt2 trillion investment projects will be suspended; pending the Constitution Court’s judgement.
He said many transport-related projects including road construction and repair countrywide, dual track system and seaport development will be halted.
An immediate solution is to seek financial allocations from the central budget, he said, adding that some of the major projects will need an investment at up to Bt80-100 billion.
