Bangkok: The Prime Minister has stated he is considering using members of his own family as a replacement for Thaksin Shinawatra in the upcoming censure motion. He expressed no surprise at the opposition’s strategy of promoting a “deal for the country,” dismissing it as a tactic to garner interest. The Prime Minister confirmed plans for a dinner on March 21, emphasizing the importance of unity among coalition parties and expressing hope that the debate would conclude within two days.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, the Prime Minister, addressed the opposition’s decision to substitute Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra’s name with a family member’s name in the no-confidence motion. She stated that the process was conducted in accordance with established procedures and documentation, and as long as these procedures are followed correctly, there is no issue.
Regarding the debate’s time allocation, the Prime Minister clarified that the 30-hour timeframe proposed by the opposition is a point of contention between the government whip and the opposition whip. He indicated that discussions are ongoing about how these hours should be divided. During a cabinet meeting, an agreement was reached on the agenda for the parliamentary meeting scheduled for March 19.
When asked whether 30 hours of opposition debate was excessive, the Prime Minister expressed that debating alone might not be significantly impactful. He stressed that discussions and agreements are necessary within the House of Representatives, highlighting his disagreement with the opposition’s stance.
In anticipation of the coalition parties’ dinner meeting on March 21, the Prime Minister confirmed that discussions had taken place on fostering cooperation and sharing responsibilities. He emphasized the need for all ministries to support each other during debates, underscoring the importance of collective effort.
Addressing the opposition’s “Country-for-Sale Deal” poster, the Prime Minister expressed indifference, viewing it as a typical attention-seeking tactic. He acknowledged that such strategies are common and not surprising, indicating that the government has similar approaches and that he does not place much importance on it.
Lastly, when questioned about the opposition’s information release aligning with his preparations, the Prime Minister stated that it mainly involved gathering information related to ministry policies. He noted that the opposition’s inquiries would help prepare responses, emphasizing that there were no additional concerns and expressing hope for a swift conclusion to the debates.
