Bangkok: Phumtham Vejjayachai, the acting Prime Minister of Thailand, addressed the recent collapse of the House of Representatives, describing it as a transitional period rather than a negative occurrence. He emphasized the need for all parties to fulfill their responsibilities during this time. Phumtham, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, stated that he had not yet discussed with the Council of State whether to dissolve the House.
According to Thai News Agency, Phumtham remarked on the nature of political parties, noting that members of coalition parties must work together to resolve any issues. He highlighted the importance of duty, mentioning that he had recently been appointed to his role and intended to address any problems as they arise. The issue of parliamentary collapse, he explained, is primarily a concern for the government whip and requires further discussion and completion of necessary processes.
Phumtham also addressed the responsibilities of MPs, indicating that their attendance at parliamentary meetings depends on the situation. He stressed the importance of ministers being accessible to MPs and capable of managing multiple tasks. When questioned about the stability of the government, Phumtham assured that the incident does not indicate any instability, urging the public not to view it too negatively.
Regarding the powers of the acting prime minister, Phumtham mentioned that the constitution allows actions to be taken within legal boundaries, although no discussions have been held about dissolving parliament or adjusting the cabinet. He referenced the opinion of Mr. Wisanu Krea-ngam, a former deputy prime minister, who suggested that the acting prime minister has the authority to dissolve parliament. However, Phumtham noted that no concrete discussions on this matter have taken place, and there are no constitutional prohibitions at present.