Flights pending nod:
PM, eight ministers set to be grilled
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and eight cabinet ministers will be the targets of a censure debate motion to be submitted to Parliament President Chuan Leekpai today, according to a source in the opposition camp.
The targets of the censure debate include four deputies to the prime minister including Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, and Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.
According to the source, Gen Prawit stands accused of price-fixing related to procurement projects by security agencies.
Mr Anutin is likely to be grilled over falling tourism numbers in relation to the emerging coronavirus health emergency and for his alleged involvement in a state partner company.
Mr Anutin also supervises the Tourism and Sports Ministry and the Transport Ministry.
Meanwhile, Gen Prayut will face questions over the government’s failure in tackling key issues including economic problems, while Mr Wissanu will be grilled for allegedly undermining the rule of law.
Mr Somkid will be targeted for favouring big investors taking part in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and his alleged failure to solve economic problems.
Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda will face questions over alleged irregularities in a garbage-fuelled power plant project by local administrative organisations.
Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai will be grilled over his alleged intervention in a case involving a tobacco giant.
Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana is likely to face questions over the ministry’s handling of the economy and Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thamanat Prompow will be grilled over his handling of scandals related to the land reform scheme and his background.
According to the source, the opposition has liaised with the House of Representatives over the handling of the censure motion. Dates have yet to be decided for the debate.
The debate is expected to take about three days with the opposition saying it should not end too close to the end of the current parliament session at the end of February or the by-election in Kamphaeng Phet on Feb 23.
Pheu Thai Party spokesman
Anusorn Iamsa-ard yesterday called on government MPs who vowed not to vote for cabinet ministers who failed to clear themselves to make good on their promises. The names of the MPs were not given.