Opposition urged to revise censure motion excluding Thaksin
The opposition has until March 19 to revise its position and exclude any references to external parties to ensure the censure debate proceeds as planned on March 24, according to House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha.
The speaker’s remarks pertain to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is perceived as the influential figure behind the ruling Pheu Thai Party.
Wan informed opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut that any mention of Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s father must be omitted from the motion to comply with parliamentary rules and the constitution.
Despite this, Arpath Sukhanunth, Secretary General of the House of Representatives, announced that the opposition had lodged an official objection to the request.
The House’s working team noted that previous censure motions did not directly name external individuals but used terms such as “family members” or “former members.”
Arpath mentioned an instance in 1986 when a company name was included, emphasising that parliamentary privilege offers full immunity, thus preventing lawsuits.
“The House Speaker has decided not to include the motion on the House agenda unless the opposition amends it. As House Speaker, [Wan] states he will assume full responsibility.”
The Secretariat of the House will inform the opposition leader to make the necessary amendments by March 19 to facilitate the debate on March 24.
Pakornwut Udompipatskul, a People’s Party list-MP and chief opposition whip, questioned which parliamentary rules forbade naming outsiders.
Pakornwut highlighted that the motion adhered to all regulations and protocols, though the opposition remains open to dialogue for a resolution.
“A senior MP informed me that during a past House debate concerning the Asian financial crisis, which started in Thailand in 1997, an outsider’s name was mentioned in parliament, indicating that the rule does not entirely ban the naming of outsiders.”
PM Paetongtarn noted that her father had casually inquired if he could be referenced as an external individual during a House session, rather than being directly named, reported Bangkok Post.
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