PM pleads for quick passage of decree

"Since the decree has the word 'loans', everybody is paying attention to the issue of borrowing, but in fact the government needs funding for investment in the country's infrastructure such as finding more water resources, improving public transportation and rural roads, public health, education and tourism,'' he said.

The government is waiting for the Constitution Court to rule on the legality of the decree and if it is cleared the government would push for the decree to be voted on when the House reconvenes for the extraordinary session from June 15-23, he said.

Jirayu Huangsab, a spokesman for the opposition Pheu Thai Party, accused Abhisit of interfering in the justice system by expressing his confidence that the executive decree would pass the Constitution Court review.

"If I use laymen's language, I must say the PM risks being jailed for making such a remark,'' he said.