On Monday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Pichai Chunhavajira, addressed reporters on Thailand’s current political vacuum, reassuring the public that the situation will not disrupt the drafting or approval of the FY2026 Budget Bill, which totals THB 3.78 trillion.
The bill has already progressed to Senate deliberation. Pichai confirmed that he personally attended the morning session to review the legislation and expects the process to be completed within two days, regardless of which party ultimately forms the government. He further emphasized that other legislative bills also continue to move through parliamentary procedures as normal.
Addressing the recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which ruled that most of President Donald Trump’s Reciprocal Tariffs—announced globally on April 2, 2025—were unlawful due to exceeding executive authority, Pichai noted that Thailand will not be significantly affected by the final outcome. He explained that the present competitive landscape is not a direct trade battle against the U.S., but rather competition among exporting countries vying for access to the U.S. market.
Pichai elaborated that if the court ultimately rules in favor of President Trump, Reciprocal Tariffs will persist globally, and Thailand’s position will remain unchanged. Conversely, should the court rule against Trump and revert to previous tariff rates, all countries would adjust accordingly.
In either scenario, he expresses confidence that Thailand will not face new challenges, as the fundamental issues remain the same. What matters, Pichai emphasized, is whether those challenges are addressed appropriately.
