PUBLISHED: 9 Mar 2025 at 05: 22
House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha has asked the opposition to eliminate any notice of former top Thaksin Shinawatra from the no-confidence movement against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
The movement was submitted to Mr Wan, who, after reviewing it, informed opposition head Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut that any allusion to Thaksin must be removed.
Mr Wan argued that directly referencing Thaksin, an observer in the conversation, do violate political conference rules No 176.
The opposition, nevertheless, is unlikely to waver.
Parit Wacharasindhu, a record MP and spokeswoman for the criticism People’s Party, objected to Thaksin’s absence from the conversation.
He insisted that neither the constitution nor political laws grant the House Speaker the authority to determine the information of a no-confidence activity.
However, he argued that rules No 176 does not involve amendments to a movement unless its registration process was flawed.
Mr Parit added the movement had no longer be amended since it was submitted more than seven days earlier– the maximum time allowed for revisions.
” The House Speaker lacks the power to sanction a correction in this case”, he said.
Mr Parit said political rules permit debaters to mention third parties if the discuss is appropriate to their involvement in regional management.
The censure motion, which targets Ms Paetongtarn exclusively, accuses Thaksin of exerting influence over his daughter’s administration.
The no-confidence debate, which the government wants to limit to a single day– contrary to the opposition’s demand for a five-day discussion– is set to take place at the end of the month.
Mr Parit said Thaksin himself has openly admitted to interfering in government affairs.
Earlier, Mr Wan warned that an unrevised motion could expose lawmakers to defamation lawsuits from the outsider in question.
He argued it would be unfair for someone who is not present in parliament to be unable to defend themselves.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Office Minister Chousak Sirinil expressed concern that, despite focusing on the premier, the debate could be diverted into attacks on cabinet ministers.
PP deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakul said Mr Natthaphong had responded to Mr Wan, asserting the opposition would stand firm and refuse to alter the motion, citing legal privileges.
She pointed out that regulation No 176 merely advises that debaters should avoid mentioning outsiders unnecessarily.
” But if an outsider has a role in national administration, they warrant a mention”, Ms Sirikanya said, adding the opposition is fully aware of the legal risks associated with referencing a third party.
Ms Sirikanya urged the government not to overreact to the motion.