Bangkok: Mr. Phumtham Vejjayachai, who is currently serving as both Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior in an acting capacity, addressed the Cabinet about the scope of the acting Prime Minister's powers. He acknowledged that the Secretary-General of the Council of State had clarified that the acting Prime Minister does not possess the authority to dissolve the House of Representatives.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Phumtham stated that the explanation given by the Secretary-General is merely an opinion and does not represent a definitive course of action for the government. During a special Cabinet meeting held on July 3rd, the discussion about the acting Prime Minister's powers was presented, but it did not lead to any recorded resolutions. The Secretary-General's viewpoint was likened to the Westminster parliamentary system in England, which Mr. Phumtham noted does not apply directly to the current situation.
When questioned about the validity of the Secretary-General's opinion, Mr. Phumtham noted that while it is a perspective worth considering, it is not conclusive. He pointed out that similar opinions have been expressed by Mr. Wisanu Krea-ngam, the former Deputy Prime Minister for Legal Affairs, and others. However, these remain as academic perspectives rather than actionable plans.
In response to queries about his potential response to a critical political situation, Mr. Phumtham emphasized that any decision regarding the dissolution of parliament would be contingent on the political climate. He asserted that there is no need to preemptively consider such actions given the current circumstances. Instead, he urged a focus on effective governance to build public confidence, rather than speculating on hypothetical problems that have yet to arise.