Bangkok: The first day of the House of Representatives meeting in Thailand ended abruptly after MPs proposed a quorum count, leading to the session's closure. The meeting initially focused on discussions about the ongoing Thai-Cambodian border issue.
According to Thai News Agency, the session began with Mr. Nattapong Ruangpanyawut, MP for the party list and leader of the Prachachon Party, addressing questions to Gen. Nattapol Nakphanich, the Deputy Minister of Defense and Acting Minister of Defense. The discussions centered around an audio clip featuring a conversation between the Thai Prime Minister and Samdech Hun Sen, the former Prime Minister of Cambodia. The talks indicated positive signs from Cambodia regarding potential negotiations about troop withdrawals and the reduction of border measures, although no agreement has been reached yet due to social media dynamics in both countries.
Following the questioning, the meeting was set to consider the report of the Safe and Creative Media Fund. Mr. Akkhara Thongjaisod, an MP from Phetchabun representing the Palang Pracharath Party, requested a quorum count to verify the presence of MPs. The quorum required was 247 out of the total 494 MPs. This led Mr. Watcharapol Khaokham, the government whip secretary and MP from Udon Thani with the Pheu Thai Party, to urge Mr. Pichet Chueamuangphan, Deputy Speaker of the House, to perform a roll call to account for any absent members.
Despite attempts to call MPs back into the main session from various committee rooms, the quorum remained incomplete. After a 15-minute wait and repeated signals to MPs, Mr. Pichet decided to close the meeting, remarking, "Today is the first day of the meeting, so let's just finish this much for now."