Bangkok: Wan Muhammad Noor Matha, the House Speaker, discussed the unexpected adjournment of a parliamentary meeting by First Deputy Speaker Chaiya Promma, which occurred before the urgent consideration of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Sections 43 and 44. This motion had been submitted by Srisutphong Keawkong, an MP for Krabi from the Bhumjaithai Party. Wan Nor clarified that the adjournment was due to a coordination error rather than any political maneuvering.
According to Thai News Agency, Wan Nor found that there was a miscommunication after consulting the Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General. The issue arose because the Police Committee was not ready to report on the matter, allowing the urgent motion to be moved. However, a misunderstanding during coordination led to the premature adjournment of the meeting. This confusion stemmed from the assumption that the session was over once the committee had completed its consideration, despite no report being submitted. Wan Nor emphasized the need for clear coordination between government and opposition whips to prevent such issues in the future.
When questioned about the role of Mr. Chaiya, who received a letter from protesters at Parliament, Wan Nor explained that the parliamentary agenda followed protocol since there was no report from the committee's study. He stressed that if a motion regarding border issues or an MOU was proposed, it would be considered, but coordination remained unclear. He suggested that if security concerns arise, a secret meeting could be necessary, underscoring the importance of clear coordination.
Addressing concerns about whether the Pheu Thai Party's Vice-President might face criticism for the adjournment, Wan Nor dismissed the notion of political games. He described Chaiya as a prudent individual committed to his duties, attributing the incident to a genuine misunderstanding. Wan Nor expressed confidence in Chaiya's neutral performance and reiterated that the adjournment was not politically motivated, but rather a mistake due to miscommunication.
Wan Nor concluded by emphasizing the need for improved coordination between the meeting committee and the chairperson to ensure all parties are informed at every stage. He expressed trust in Chaiya's impartiality and competence in his role.