Six Pheu Thai MPs on Wednesday cast their votes to support the Budget Bill acting in defiant of the opposition bench.
The six are Joomphot Boonyai from Sakon Nakhon, Parapol Adireksarn from Saraburi, Somboon Wanchaithanawong from party list, Wuthichai Kittithanesuan from Nakhon Nayok, Nikom Chaokittisophon from party list and Piyarach Meunsaen from Roi Et.
Joomphot, Parapol, Somboon, Wuthichai and Piyarach are reportedly poised to defect to Bhum Jai Thai Party at the next general election.
Nikom is reportedly preparing to join the Democrat Party.
Although the main opposition has 189 House seats, the opposition votes amounted to 178. Aside from the six voting with the coalition, three took a sick leave.
The three are Jirawat Siripanit from Maha Sarakham, Arunlak Kijlertpairoj from Samut Prakan and Surasit Wongwitthayanan from party list.
The other three missing votes are from two deputy House speakers, Samart Kaewmeechai and Apiwan Wiriyachai, and Nikom Worapanya from Lop Buri. The three abstained from voting.
The Pracharaj Party, an opposition ally, was split in its votes. Its three MPs, Chakkrit Thongsri from party list, Somchai Charoenchairit from Nakhon Sawan and Chanakan Yuenyong from Pathum Thani, voted with the coalition.
Its other three MPs, Jirawadee Juengwaranont from Si Sa Ket, Thanit Thienthong from Sa Kaew and Trinuch Thienthong from Sa Kaew, abstained.
Its leader Sanoh Thienthong was hospitalised for back surgery.
On the coalition alliance, eight dissident MPs from Puea Pandin's Pracha Phromnok faction abstained.
The eight are Pracha from party list, Kittisak Rungthanakiart from Surin, Thirathat Tiewcharoensopha from Surin, Maliwan Thanyasakulkit from Surin, Sathit Thepwongsirirat from Surin, Wallop Thainuea from party list, Somkiart Sornlam from party list and Jitrawan Wangsupakitkosol from Nakhon Ratchasima.
The 14 abstained votes were those from Pheu Thai (three), Puea Pandin (eight) and Pracharaj (three).