Bangkok: The government whip has reiterated that the opposition will be granted 23 hours to present their accusations in the no-confidence debate against the Prime Minister, emphasizing that the debate must conclude by March 19. The government is allocated only 7 hours for explanations and protests. The decision on whether "family members" are considered outsiders in the debate will be left to the House Speaker.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Chusak Sirinil, the Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, discussed the progress of the no-confidence motion. The opposition had initially submitted a motion that named former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, but amended it to refer to a 'family member' instead. The Speaker of the House of Representatives initiated a review, arguing that including the name of an outsider is incorrect. Although regulations do not explicitly prohibit naming individuals, they do prohibit unnecessarily mentioning outsiders. The amendment has been made, but the final decision rests with the Speaker of the House of Representatives. If the Speaker deems it acceptable, the motion can proceed without issue.
If the House Speaker includes the no-confidence motion in the agenda, Mr. Chusak stated there would be no issue. He emphasized that the decision begins with the House Speaker and whether the amendment satisfies the required conditions to prevent future problems. If the Speaker agrees, the matter is resolved. The Pheu Thai Party does not object, but unresolved issues could lead to further protests during the debate. However, acceptance by the House Speaker would allow discussions to proceed smoothly.
Mr. Wisut Chainarun, the government whip, announced a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 19, at 9:00 a.m. to finalize the debate's time frame. He stressed that the government had already made several concessions, offering 23 hours to the opposition while retaining only 7 hours for their rebuttal. Mr. Chainarun noted that during the previous administration under General Prayut Chan-o-cha, debates involving 11 ministers spanned three days. For the current administration under Prime Minister Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, two days are deemed sufficient. He explained that most of the opposition's focus is on the Prime Minister, and 23 hours is the maximum time permitted to avoid redundancy.
Mr. Chainarun urged for mutual understanding and negotiation to ensure a fair process. He reiterated that the government aims to maintain transparency and not hinder the opposition but cautioned against further concessions, warning that further retreat would be akin to "falling into the Chao Phraya River." By March 19, a resolution on the debate's time frame must be reached, allowing adequate preparation for both sides. The opposition will have ample time to present their case with 23 hours allotted, while the government will work within the constraints of their 7-hour limit.