Censure debate scheduled for 7-11 December, targeting 18 Cabinet members

Despite different views about the duration of the censure debate, the government and opposition have finally agreed on 7-10 December, with a vote scheduled for 11 December. The targets will be Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and other 17 cabinet members.

MP Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the opposition People’s Party and leader of the opposition, submitted a no-confidence motion on 8 October against PM Anutin and other 17 cabinet members:

1. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy PM and Transport Minister.
2. Songsak Thongsri, Deputy PM.
3. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy PM and Finance Minister.
4. Suphajee Suthumpun, Deputy PM and Commerce Minister.
5. Pakorn Nilprapunt, Deputy PM.
6. Lt Gen Adul Boonthumjaroen, Defence Minister.
7. Surasak Phancharoenworakul, Tourism and Sports Minister.
8. Chaichanok Chidchob, Digital Economy and Society Minister.
9. Suchart Chomklin, Natural Resources and Environment Minister.
10. Pol Lt Gen Rutthaphon Naowarat, Justice Minister.
11. Napintorn Srisunpang, Minister Attached to the PM’s Office.
12. Supamas Isarabhakdi, Minister Attached to the PM’s Office.
13. Paradorn Prissananantakul, Minister Attached to the PM’s Office.
14. Suksomrauy Wantaneeyakul, Minister Attached to the PM’s Office.
15. Siripong Angkasakulkiat, Deputy Transport Minister.
16. Jeseth Thaiseth, Deputy Interior Minister.
17. Worasit Liangprasit, Deputy Interior Minister.

The government previously proposed that the no-confidence debate take place over 3 days from 27 to 30 October, when the 18 Cabinet members are available to attend the session. However, the opposition requested that the no-confidence debate take 5 days. 

Negotiations led to the Opposition Whip walking out after the two sides failed to reach an agreement. The Government Chief Whip Korrawee Prissananantakul said that the government agreed to a compromise of extending the timeframe to 4 days from 26 to 29 October, but the Opposition Whip insisted on a 5-day debate. 

Korrawee stated that this was not an attempt to delay or prevent the opposition from holding a censure debate, adding that the proposed timeframe was the most suitable option, given the cabinet members’ tight schedules after this month.

Meanwhile, the opposition later revealed that it agreed to a 4-day debate as proposed on the condition that the debate must be held during November-December.

Following the final discussion, the government and opposition were satisfied with a 4+1 timeframe – 4 days for debate and 1 additional day for voting. The debate will last 72 hours with the opposition allocated 51 hours, with the government given 17 hours to respond; the House Speaker will be allocated 4 hours. Voting will take place on 11 December. 

• News

• No-confidence debate
• Anutin Charnvirakul
• Anutin administration

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