Thailand's lower house passes budget for new fiscal year

BANGKOK, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's House of Representatives approved a 3.75-trillion-baht (111 billion U.S. dollars) budget bill for fiscal year 2025 in its third and final reading late Thursday after a three-day debate.

The 500-member lower house of the Thai parliament passed the budget bill for the fiscal year starting October with 309 votes in favor, 155 against and four abstentions.

The bill is scheduled for Senate consideration next week and requires royal endorsement before taking effect.