Political temperature to rise Monday

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij are slated to make passionate pleas for the legislative passage to authorise the government to borrow Bt800 billion to overcome the economic downturn.

The opposition Pheu Thai Party will put up a strong fight by arguing the government is not gearing up to tackle economic woes but to divide the debtfinanced cake among coalition partners in order to cling to power.

Of the total loans, Bt500 billion will be earmarked for mega projects under the jurisdiction of the Bhum Jai Thai Party. The remaining Bt300 billion will be shared by the Democrat and the Chart Thai Pattana parties.

To ensure a friendly atmosphere, the government agreed in a lastminute decision to allow live television coverage of the twoday debate, chief coalition whip Chinnaworn Boonyakiart said yesterday.

House Speaker Chai Chidchob reportedly worked out an arrangement for the live broadcast in exchange for the opposition's pledge not to derail the debate.

Chinnaworn said he expected the opposition to honour its pledge by strictly abiding by the procedural rules on the debate.

"I hope opposition MPs will observe the time allotted for their speeches and refrain from creating distractions," he said.

The debate will start off with the deliberation of the decree to authorise the borrowing of Bt400 billion, followed by the draft legislation for additional loans worth Bt400 billion.