The opposition Pheu Thai Party has accused Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha of awarding ministries controlled by his close aides with more cash in the new budget bill than ministries charged with stimulating the economy.
While ministries controlled by other coalition parties, including the Transport Ministry and Tourism and Sports Ministry, face cuts in their proposed fiscal year 2020 budgets, the ministries controlled by Gen Prayut's close associates look set to enjoy a rise, said Samart Kaewmeechai, deputy leader of the Pheu Thai Party.
The Defence Ministry and Interior Ministry will receive a higher budget this year, he said.
Instead of focusing on economic stimulation, this government plans to allocate 428 billion baht, or 13.4% of the entire 3.2-trillion-baht budget, to security work, he said, adding that the security budget has continued to rise over the past five years.
The proposed 3.2 trillion baht is the highest figure in Thailand's history, according to Mr Samart.
The 62 billion baht set aside for offsetting the treasury balance also shows this government's spending is set to be greater than any other, he said.
"The government is allocating more budget to non-economic work although the core policy it announced to the public was to stimulate the economy," he said.
House Speaker Chuan Leekpai, meanwhile, on Friday said three days would be an appropriate amount of time to debate the bill after Pheu Thai secretary-general Anudit Nakhontap said on Tuesday that the opposition wanted to spend five days on it.
Mr Anudit said party whips will raise the matter at a meeting with the government next month.
The House's first reading of the bill will be held on Oct 17 and the second and third readings are expected on Jan 28-29, after which it will be submitted for royal endorsement.