Bangkok: Danupon Punnakan, MP and spokesman for the Pheu Thai Party, responded to calls from Nattapong Ruangpanyawut of the Prachachon Party for the dissolution of parliament, asserting that such actions are unwarranted and not in the nation's interest. Danupon highlighted that the coalition parties' concerns stem from a previous court ruling, rather than disunity within the parliamentary system.
According to Thai News Agency, Nattapong had criticized the government for failing to control coalition party votes, leading to two unsuccessful parliamentary meetings. He claimed this inability warranted the dissolution of parliament, a stance Danupon labeled as harmful to the democratic process. Danupon emphasized that the legislative process is a fundamental right and duty, allowing MPs to vote according to their privileges.
Danupon further clarified that the absence of some coalition MPs from a recent parliamentary session was due to legal concerns regarding Section 256 of the constitution and potential conflicts with a prior Constitutional Court ruling. He insisted these concerns were about legal interpretation and not indicative of a lack of unity, as suggested by Nattapong.
Emphasizing the achievements of the current government, Danupon stated that the civilian administration under Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra prioritizes national and public welfare. He argued that dissolving parliament during a period of effective governance would not serve the people's interests or justify the significant expenditure involved. Therefore, he concluded, there is no valid reason to dissolve the parliament.