People’s Party Debuts First "Shadow Cabinet" Meeting Urges Relief for Fishery and Transport; Slams 400-Billion-Baht Loan Decree

Today (May 6, 2026) at approximately 10:30 AM, the People’s Party—led by Party Leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, along with Deputy Leaders Sirikanya Tansakun and Weerayut Kanchoochat, and the executive team—held a press conference. Mr. Natthaphong stated that this marked the first meeting of the People’s Party’s "Shadow Cabinet." The objective is to demonstrate how people-centric decision-making in weekly cabinet meetings can improve citizens' lives every single week. He emphasized that the Shadow Cabinet would not monitor ministers on a person-to-person basis but would instead focus on an "Agenda vs. Agenda" approach, using public grievances as the baseline to elevate government scrutiny and offer policy alternatives for society's consideration.

Key conclusions from the meeting are as follows:

1.Call for Emergency Relief for Transport and Fishery Sectors: These sectors bear the highest energy costs yet have been neglected. The Shadow Cabinet urged the government to manage the country based on empirical evidence to ensure maximum efficiency in budget allocation. They stressed that the government must not ignore the fishery and transport groups, which are the "upstream" of the economic system, as their struggles directly impact consumer goods prices. During the meeting, representatives from both sectors shared their hardships and discussed targeted relief measures.

2.Warning on the Landbridge Project: The Shadow Cabinet warned that the Landbridge project risks repeating the mistakes of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and could place Thailand under the shadow of global superpowers. If the government proceeds based solely on geopolitical factors despite the lack of financial viability, Thailand must be cautious not to play its "key cards" or stake its economic and environmental future on any single superpower.

3.Concerns over the 400-Billion-Baht Emergency Loan Decree: There is a significant risk that these funds will be spent without sound principles—borrowing for short-term handouts to gain popularity while failing to prepare for a prolonged global war. The Shadow Cabinet proposed that the government must act with transparency and prudence, avoid "scattergun" spending, and present a clear debt repayment plan to the public.

"The People's Party reaffirms that the Shadow Cabinet mechanism will operate in parallel with the government's work. We aim to show that public administration centered on the people's benefits can truly elevate the quality of life for all Thais every week," Mr. Natthaphong stated.

Regarding the Landbridge project, Mr. Natthaphong expressed concerns that the project lacks financial feasibility. Weerayut Kanchoochat, a Party-List MP and Deputy Leader, noted that although the government assigned Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, to conduct a 90-day additional study to reduce friction, the project remains under the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) Bill. This bill grants special powers that bypass existing laws and risks excluding public participation.

Financial Analysis: The project shows a return rate of only 4% and a Net Present Value (NPV) of negative 40 billion baht. The Shadow Cabinet advised the government to weigh geopolitical factors carefully and diversify risks by seeking technological co-investment from multiple nations rather than relying on a single power.

In conclusion, the People's Party executive team proposed that the government must use the country’s strategic location as a bargaining chip. If a superpower is willing to invest in a project that is not financially viable, the government must be able to answer whether the Landbridge will truly increase Thailand's bargaining power, attract technology, and enhance independence in foreign policy.

Photo : Weeraphat Ratsameerueangrong