Hanoi, Aug. 16 -- After three days of debate, Thailand's House of Representatives voted on August 15 evening to approve the 2026 fiscal year budget bill, valued at 3.78 trillion THB (116.5 billion USD), with 257 votes in favour and 230 against. The fiscal year is set to begin on October 1, 2025. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Pichai Chunhavajira expressed his gratitude to all MPs who supported the budget bill, describing it as a "key instrument" for implementing government policies and national strategic plans. Pichai pledged that the budget would be allocated and managed efficiently, taking into account MPs' recommendations and concerns raised during the debates. He also emphasised that taxpayers' money would be spent tran...