The new Senate is gearing up for its first debate on the government's Budget Bill, which is expected to pass the second and third readings in the House this week.
Senator Kamnoon Sidhisamarn, spokesman for the upper chamber whip, said on Monday that senators will be briefed on Tuesday in preparation for the process. They will be able to deliberate the 2020 fiscal budget plan and vote either for or against it, without making any changes.
Mr Kamnoon said the Budget Bill is expected to be tabled for Senate deliberation later this month.
The House of Representatives will debate the second reading on Tuesday, with the third reading expected to start the following day. The second reading will examine the bill section-by-section. During the third reading, MPs will decide whether or not to pass the bill in its entirety.
The budget passed its first reading on Oct 19 after three days of intense debate. Of the 486 MPs present, 251 voted in favour of the bill, 234 abstained and one MP did not cast a vote.
The House committee vetting the bill slashed 16.2 billion baht from the 3.2-trillion-baht budget. It has been reported that the cuts will affect the budgets of the Defence, Public Health, and Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation ministries the most - with their budgets being cut by 1.5 billion baht, 1.3 billion baht and 1.1 billion baht respectively.
House Speaker Chuan Leekpai said the budget debate is likely to take three days instead of the originally scheduled two.
Chief government whip Wirach Ratanasate said the debate can be extended to Friday, but it must be wrapped up that day.
He said a total of 146 MPs have signed to debate the bill, and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is expected to turn up for the debate.
He expressed confidence the bill will receive support from the opposition and pass the second and third readings.