Thai opposition parties call for debate over govt’s slow policy fulfilment
The six opposition parties in Thailand have decided to demand a general debate, alleging that the government has been slow to fulfil its core policies declared when it assumed office six months ago. The decision, reached in a meeting yesterday, involves the Move Forward Party (MFP), Democrat Party, Thai Sang Thai Party (TSTP), Fair Party, Thai Teachers for People Party and the New Party.
A general debate, as opposed to a no-confidence debate, does not necessitate a censure vote against targeted Cabinet ministers, under Section 152 of the constitution. The opposition plans to submit a motion for the debate on March 13, which is anticipated to last two days, possibly between April 3 and 5.
This is an ideal timeframe as the second and third readings of the 2024 fiscal budget bill are expected from March 27-28, and the current parliamentary session ends on April 9, according to MFP leader and opposition head, Chaithawat Tulathon.
Chaithawat stated that the government has been in office for half a year but has not yet started to fulfil its promises to voters, accusing it of neglecting its responsibilities to implement policies declared in parliament.
The government’s handling of justice affairs will be a key focus of the Democrat Party in the forthcoming debate. Chaichana Detdacho, a Democrat MP for Nakhon Si Thammarat and deputy party leader, cited issues surrounding the Ministry of Justice’s management of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s hospital detention and his subsequent parole.
Kritdithat Saengthanayothin, a list-MP and leader of the New Party, expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s lack of progress on its policy commitments. He intends to highlight the government’s failure to address the loan shark issue, which it had pledged to eradicate under its public debt alleviation policy, in the upcoming debate.
Although the government’s primary issue is its slow policy implementation, which may not require concrete evidence as corruption allegations would, the opposition’s general debate will still present tangible evidence, Chaithawat assured, reported Bangkok Post.
