The Democrat Party has rejected claims that party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva proposed cutting civil service pensions, saying his remarks during the debate on the 2027 Budget Expenditure Bill were taken out of context and distorted for political gain.
Party spokesman Pongsakorn Kwanmuang said on Saturday Mr Abhisit's comments had been misrepresented.
He said the party supported the welfare of public-sector employees, including healthcare benefits and pensions, while advocating reforms to ensure long-term fiscal sustainability.
Mr Abhisit had never suggested reducing pensions or other benefits for current civil servants, arguing changing the terms under which they entered public service would be unfair.
Instead, Mr Abhisit had previously proposed at a cabinet meeting that a new welfare and pension framework be introduced for future civil servants to ease the state's long-term fiscal burden. The proposal, he said, would create a fairer and more sustainable system but was not pursued by subsequent governments.
"There was no suggestion whatsoever that civil servants' pensions should be cut. The remarks were distorted for political benefit," Mr Pongsakorn said, adding the party had raised the issue in cabinet.
He also criticised the government's fiscal management, saying Thailand should rely less on budget spending and focus more on boosting state revenue and expanding public-private partnerships.
Mr Pongsakorn questioned the government's 400-billion-baht borrowing, claiming half was used to finance a cash-handout programme, while the remainder was used to promote imports of solar panels and electric vehicles.
He also cited limited progress on the proposed 1-trillion-baht Land Bridge project as evidence of mounting fiscal pressures.
On disaster preparedness, Mr Pongsakorn urged the government to prioritise or losses would continue to mount, disproportionately affecting children, older people and those with disabilities.
