Government chief whip Amnuay Klangpa expects 310 MPs to vote in favour of passing the two-trillion-baht loan bill for infrastructure megaprojects when the House first-reading debate ends later today.
Members of Thai parliament attend a debate on the 2-trillion-baht loan bill at Parliament, in Bangkok on March 28, 2013. (AFP Photo)
He said the vote would likely be bolstered by some support from the opposition Bhumjaithai Party.
The coalition government currently has 299 votes, 265 of them Phue Thai Party MPs.
A reading of a bill is passed when it is supported by at least half of the Members of Parliament, or 250 votes. A bill needs three readings in the lower house and another three readings in the upper house.
Mr Amnuay said the opposition parties have seven hours left to debate on Friday, cabinet ministers have five hours and other government MPs another five hours.
He expected the debate would end and the vote be called before 10pm.
He said the speakers from the Bhumjaithai Party indicated support for the bill so the government expects to get at least 310 votes in total.