The Senate debate on the Budget Bill starting today is expected to be fiery, as 50-60 senators have decried what they see as lopsided funds for local governments, runaway military spending and a self-serving pay hike for lawmakers.
"The 2011 budget may not be rejected but its passage will be a close call," Deputy Senate Speaker Nikom Wairatpanich said yesterday.
Senator Prasit Pothasuthon doubted claims that a clique of senators would vote against the bill, saying they were just rumours floated to test the political winds and should not be taken seriously.
Some senators might put on a show during the debate but at the end of the day, they would back the bill, he said. Senator Ruangkrai Leekitwattana said some colleagues were uncomfortable about passing the bill out of concern over a possible conflict of interest. The budget included a rise for MPs and senators, and would expose them to possible criminal proceedings if the lawmakers voted to reward themselves, he said.
"By my calculation, I will get Bt3,100 extra per month or a net Bt2,170 after deducting 30-per-cent tax. This is not worth risking prosecution," he said.
Depending on the direction of today's debate, he might petition the Constitution Court to rule on the possible conflict of interest.
He denied that he was trying to delay the bill, saying a judicial review would only take seven days to complete.
The debate is expected to run from 10am-10pm today and 1pm-10pm tomorrow, with 89 senators lined up to speak from the floor.