The government's 3.2-trillion-baht budget bill sailed through its first reading in the House of Representatives yesterday, despite the opposition accusing the government of paying lip service to promoting social equality.
In the ballot to conclude the three-day session, 251 MPs voted in favour, 234 abstained and no MPs voted against the bill.
The vote was cast after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha delivered a statement saying the government would take suggestions from the House into consideration before the next reading.
Gen Prayut said the budget was drafted in line with the government policy statement delivered in Parliament, the 20-year national strategic plan and the national reform blueprint.
The bill always looked set to pass its first reading after Pheu Thai MP and opposition chief whip Sutin Klangsang, in his wrap-up speech, said the opposition would not yet vote against it.
"We hope [the government] will improve the draft bill in the second reading. We don't want to see a House dissolution or the cabinet stepping down. It's difficult for us to vote for the bill, but we can't reject it out of concerns for the country.
"We'll give you a chance. We'll grant the bill its first passage. In the second reading, we'll do our best to revise and improve the bill. We'll vote for it if it's improved but if it isn't, we'll shoot it down in the third reading," he said.
Mr Sutin said the opposition parties expected the government to reallocate the budget and give priority to economic and education issues and cut defence spending.
Following the vote, a 64-member panel was set up to examine the budget bill. The committee is made up of 15 representatives from the cabinet and 49 representatives from political parties with the Pheu Thai getting the largest quota of 13.
Earlier, during the debate, Chanok Chanthathong, a Pheu Thai MP for Nong Khai, asked whether the allocation of 760 billion baht for "creating opportunities and social equality" really would serve that purpose given that the government's recent record of dishing out cash to the poor.
She also accused Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha of having a low opinion of Thais which is why his government had promoted cash hand-out schemes instead of opening up opportunities for people to help themselves.
Ms Chanok also echoed her fellow opposition MPs' criticism of the 518 billion baht general budget, which is seen as a licence to spend without due parliamentary scrutiny.
Much of the three-day debate centred on the general fund and the increase in military spending.
Under the 3.2-trillion-baht spending plan, the Defence Ministry was allotted 230 billion baht, a 6 billion baht increase from fiscal year 2019, and among the highest disbursements to any ministry.
"Is it possible for the prime minister to change his mindset and purchase tablets for the people instead of tanks?" she said.
Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda rose to defend Gen Prayut, saying the prime minister did not look down on common Thai people.
Gen Anupong admitted some schemes such as the welfare smart card were designed to give direct financial assistance but noted that several others were not. However, he said the government would take the criticism into consideration.
Theerarat Samretwanich, another Pheu Thai MP for Bangkok, said the government's target of collecting revenue of 2.7 trillion baht, an increase of more than 200 billion baht on last year would strain the people financially.
Extra budget earmarked for the defence and interior ministries should be diverted to social welfare, she added.
"Please don't slap more taxes on people so you can have more money to satisfy your frivolous spending habits," she said.