Bangkok: The Prime Minister recently joined the Pheu Thai Party, expressing a mixture of anticipation and excitement ahead of the upcoming censure debate. In a meeting with the party, the Prime Minister inquired if "Cholnan-Sutin" or any other party members would like to assist him in preparing for the debate. He acknowledged feeling excited about being questioned and urged MPs to stay vigilant on their communication channels for any requests for assistance. Meanwhile, Mr. Wisut Chainarun emphasized a strict schedule for the MPs, warning against any absences during the crucial debate days.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, the Prime Minister, attended a weekly meeting at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters. Prior to her arrival, Mr. Wisut Chainarun, the Chairman of the Pheu Thai Party MPs, led the session. He stressed the importance of March 24-26, when the opposition's no-confidence debate against the government is scheduled. Mr. Wisut emphasized the need for full attendance and participation from all MPs, urging them to arrive at the parliament by 8:00 a.m. to fulfill their duties. He reminded them of the party's history of maintaining a solid quorum and called for unity during the debate period.
Mr. Wisut highlighted the Pheu Thai Party's decision to allocate two days for the debate, with the opposition granted 23 hours and the government 7 hours. He mentioned that the House Speaker would coordinate with party whips to manage the debate schedule efficiently and urged MPs to avoid any personal hindrances during this time.
The Prime Minister, during the meeting, sought volunteers among the Pheu Thai MPs to help him practice for the debate. He discussed the proceedings with Ms. Manoporn Charoensri, Deputy Minister of Transport, and shared his past experiences watching similar debates on television. He expressed eagerness to address the forum, emphasizing his readiness to respond based on his actions and policies.
The Prime Minister encouraged each ministry to address relevant issues, citing the Ministry of Finance as an example. He reassured the party of his confidence and support from Pheu Thai MPs, playfully reminding them to monitor their communication platforms for any urgent requests.
He expressed his goal for the public to gain a better understanding of his administration's work and policies through the debate. He viewed it as an opportunity to clarify any misunderstandings and engage in constructive dialogue. The Prime Minister also humorously questioned the MPs about potential practice sessions and inquired about notable figures like Dr. Cholanat Srikaew and Mr. Sutin Khlangsaeng.
Mr. Danupon Punnakan, a party list MP and spokesperson for the Pheu Thai Party, announced that a meeting involving government, opposition, and cabinet whips would take place soon to finalize the debate schedule. He confirmed the party's commitment to granting the opposition 23 hours and the government 7 hours for the debate and assured that further details would be provided in a press conference following the whip meeting.