Non-confidence conversation put at risk
PUBLISHED: 10 Mar 2025 at 05: 57
Parliament President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha has indicated he will not include a no-confidence movement against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawtra on parliament’s plan if the criticism refuses to remove any notice of former top Thaksin Shinawatra from the activity.
The movement was recently submitted to Mr Wan, who, after reviewing it, informed opposition head Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut that any allusion to Thaksin had been removed.
Mr Wan argued that directly referencing Thaksin, an observer in the conversation, do violate political conference rules No 176.
Mr Wan on Sunday reiterated that the conference legislation prohibits any unwanted reference to an outsider.
” Only a mention is now banned. But the criticism goes so far as to contain the name of Thaksin in the activity. This will spark a noise and demonstrations in parliament”, he said.
” As the legislature chairman, I will be held liable if I allow the activity to include the title of an outsider. The legislature president will end up as a defendant if a libel lawsuit is filed]by an observer ]”, he said.
Earlier, Mr Wan warned that an abridged activity may introduce politicians to libel lawsuits from the stranger.
He argued it would be unfair for someone who is not present in congress to be unable to protect themselves.
Mr Wan furthermore said yesterday the legislature president has the authority to determine whether a movement will be included on the plan.
He said he even consulted a legal team which confirmed that any reference to an observer could lead to problems.
” If the criticism refuses to update the motion]by omitting the name of an outsider], I may assert my authority”, Mr Wan said.
Recently, Parit Wacharasindhu, a record MP and spokeswoman for the criticism People’s Party, objected to Thaksin’s absence from the discussion.
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 before– the maximum time allowed for revisions. ” The House Speaker lacks the authority to sanction a correction in this case”, he said.
The disapproval movement, which targets Ms Paetongtarn entirely, accuses Thaksin of exerting control over his daughter’s management.
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.
Meanwhile, political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana said he has asked the National Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate Mr Wan for allegedly violating an ethics code for political-office holders.
Mr Ruangkrai accused Mr Wan of acting in a way that may favour the prime minister by trying to refuse to include the no-confidence motion on parliament’s agenda.
Ms Paetongtarn yesterday dismissed claims that lobbying is underway to remove the name of her father.