PM denies coalition rift from lopsided stimulus package

"Before the Tuesday's Cabinet meeting to approve the package, coalition partners have agreed on funds earmarked for projects run by respective ministries," he said.

Abhisit denied press reports that the Friends of Newin faction had objected to a budget cut on the rural road scheme, known as the dust-free roads project in reference to the planned upgrading dirt roads to asphalt ones.

He said coalition partners understood the stimulus package was a short-term spending to spur the economy and that the coalition would move on to focus attention the budgetary allocation for on investment spending in the next fiscal year.