In a surprising twist, Thailand's caretaker Finance Minister, Pichai Chunhavajira, asserts that the current political upheaval will not derail discussions on the fiscal 2026 budget.

After a significant ruling from the Constitutional Court that ousted Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her cabinet, many wondered how this would impact budget deliberations. However, Pichai opened the Senate discussions just yesterday, expressing confidence that they will wrap up within two days.

He confidently remarked, "Political vacuums can create challenges, but Thailand has weathered similar storms before. Investors are accustomed to our unique political landscape. Unlike many countries that falter during such times, Thailand remains resilient."

The proposed budget for 2026, already approved by the House of Representatives, is now facing scrutiny in the Senate, where it will be debated on September 1-2. If rejected, the House has the option to resubmit the draft.

The ambitious budget proposes expenditures no greater than 3.78 trillion baht, with a hefty 864 billion baht allocated for investment—accounting for 22.9% of the total budget. However, it also highlights a significant deficit of 860 billion baht, approximately 4.3% of the nation’s GDP.

Senate whip Phisit Apivitanapong has assured that the debate will move forward as planned, with caretaker ministers ready to tackle any questions from the Senate during the proceedings.

Amidst these developments, Pichai commented on the recent US federal appeals court ruling regarding former President Donald Trump's trade tariffs. He downplayed any potential effects on Thailand, stating, "Whether the tariffs are upheld or revert to previous rates, our trade competition is not solely with the US but with countries exporting to the US."

With critical discussions on the 2026 budget looming, all eyes are on Thailand as it navigates through political upheaval while striving for fiscal stability.