Thailand's Lower House passes 2012 budget bill

BANGKOK, January 7 (TNA) - Thailand's House of Representatives has passed the second and third readings of the government's 2.38-trillion-baht budget for the 2012 fiscal year, which started from October 1, 2011, with the majority vote. The country's Lower House approved the 2012 budget bill with the majority vote of 272:3 at 1:35am this Saturday morning, although there were 155 abstentions after a three-day debate. The new budget bill has, therefore, been forwarded to the Thai Senate for further deliberation. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra thanked MPs for their cooperation, promising that her administration will spend on the state budget discreetly and transparently for public and national interests. (TNA)