Censure bid to be filed on Jan 25

The opposition camp has agreed to submit a no-confidence motion against the government on Jan 25.

Prasert Jantararuangtong, secretarygeneral of the main opposition Pheu Thai Party, said the six opposition parties are ready to grill the Prayut administration about its performance.

He said they have agreed to lodge the planned censure motion on Jan 25 so the debate can proceed before the House of Representative adjourns on Feb 28.

The examination of the motion by House Speaker Chuan Leekpai is expected to take no more than seven days and then it will be forwarded to the government, he said.

Pol Gen Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, leader of the opposition Seri Ruam Thai Party, said the motion will target individual cabinet ministers.

However, he said the charges against the target ministers will be disclosed on the day the motion is submitted. It is believed that the government’s handling of the Covid-19 is high on the list.

Pol Gen Sereepisuth also said that outspoken politician Mongkolkit Suksintharanon, leader of Thai Civilized Party, is welcome to join the opposition in grilling the government.

Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, leader of the Prachachart Party, said he expects the motion to be put on the House agenda by Feb 17 and that three days at least should be allocated for the debate.

Earlier, concerns were raised over whether the censure debate could be held within this session due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Some opposition MPs suggested that the current session should be extended or an extraordinary session should be called to allow the censure debate to proceed if the pandemic forced parliament to take a long break.

The upcoming censure motion is the second against this government. The opposition can submit one once during each ordinary session of parliament.