24/06/2026

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 24, 2026

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BANGKOK: A Thai government plan to borrow US$12.2 billion (RM50.5 billion) to cushion the economy from higher oil prices is facing a legal test that could define the scope of its emergency powers to help struggling households and spur economic growth. Thailand’s Constitutional Court is reviewing whether the borrowing decree issued by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s administration qualifies as an emergency measure, after accepting a petition from opposition lawmakers last month. A ruling, expected by July 16, could shape both the fate of the loan and the pace of government support as growth weakens and fiscal room narrows in Southeast Asia’s second largest economy. A court ruling that disrupts the borrowing plan “could add another layer of uncertainty to the growth outlook”, said Lavanya Venkateswaran, senior Asean economist at OCBC, though solid exports and some external tailwinds could support near-term momentum. The Cabinet approved the decree in May, splitting funds equally between relief measures such as a US$5.3 billion consumer subsidy

Thai US$12b borrowing plan under review

US sea drones for Philippines MANILA: The US government has given four Ocean Aero Triton autonomous underwater and surface vehicles to the Philippine military to boost Manila’s ability to monitor its waters and spot potential threats, the US Embassy in the Philippines said yesterday. The Philippines is taking delivery of the solar-powered sea drones, which can operate for up to 30 days without crews, as ties between the Philippines and China have been tested by Beijing’s installation of a floating structure in Scarborough Shoal and the imposition of sanctions by China on Manila’s defence secretary. The embassy said the drones, valued at US$13 million (RM53.8 million), demonstrated Washington’s commitment to its ally and would enhance the Philippines’ ability to detect and respond to maritime challenges, including illegal fishing, grey zone activities, and threats to freedom of navigation. “The Indo-Pacific’s waters are vast and contested, and the Philippines sits at the heart of it,“ the embassy said in a statement. In mid-June, US and Philippine forces held joint maritime drills in the South China Sea, involving air and coast guard assets. Last week, the Philippines said China had removed the floating structure on the hotly contested atoll after it lodged a diplomatic protest. China said the structure was for “scientific survey” work. Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea despite a 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated those claims. The Chinese embassy in Manila has said the 2016 ruling only undermined bilateral ties and regional peace and stability, statements the Philippine Foreign Ministry has rejected. – Reuters

component, with limited impact on government operations, said political scientist Stithorn Thananithichot of Chulalongkorn University. “The government still has some room on the spending side to keep this project going. If there is no money, it can be halted … possibly shelving the project and waiting to use the fiscal 2027 budget,” he said, referring to the budget that will start in October. Even a ruling against the entire decree would have largely political, not destabilising, consequences due to the government’s parliamentary majority, Stithorn said. “Administratively, the government can explain the issue, but politically it will face heavy criticism.” – Reuters

o Constitutional Court to rule by July 16

decree, measures already rolled out under the plan will stand, Paradorn said. Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said last week the borrowing decree is essential for the energy transition, citing Thailand’s heavy reliance on imported energy, nearly 10% of gross domestic product, as a key vulnerability. “If we do not act now, Thailand risks losing its competitiveness over time,” he said. The court could also allow the cost-of-living relief portion of the borrowing plan to stand while striking down the energy

scheme and funding a longer-term shift towards clean energy. Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the main opposition People’s Party, which was among those that petitioned the court, told reporters last month he supported the transition to clean energy but opposed using an emergency decree to push it through. “The government has done nothing wrong,” Paradorn Prissananantakul, a minister attached to the prime minister’s office, told Reuters. “I am confident the decree will be passed.” Even if the court strikes down the

School shooting planned for more than a month MANILA: The deadly shooting inside a classroom at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, in the Eastern Visayas region of the central Philippines, that left three students dead and 20 others injured was planned for more than a month by the two suspects, who are both minors, the Philippine News Agency reported. Eastern Visayas Police chief Brigadier General Jason Capoy said investigators found that the 14- and 15-year-old suspects had been planning the attack since April or May. “Based on our information, as early as May 1, if I’m not mistaken, they had been planning for it since April or May,” Capoy said in a phone interview with reporters. He also expressed alarm over reports circulating online that the suspects had coordinated how to bring firearms into the school and were aware of the provisions of Republic Act 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act. Investigators said most of the bullets fired during the attack came from a Glock 9mm service firearm owned by a police officer, who is the aunt of one of the suspects. He said one of the suspects, the 14 year-old, was reportedly addicted to a mobile game called GoreBox, which supposedly features graphic violence and gun use.

Philippine National Police chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr has ordered investigators to build a strong case against all individuals who may have enabled the minors to gain access to the firearms used in the attack. – Bernama

Capoy said three students – two female and one male – were killed in the attack, while 15 sustained gunshot wounds and five were injured after jumping to safety.

A security guard checks a student’s bag as she enters Batasan Hills National High School in Quezon City. – REUTERSPIC