Bangkok:Sophon Saram, President of the Parliament and Speaker of the House of Representatives, has expressed his frustration with the opposition, accusing them of using rhetoric to undermine his credibility and labeling him a government lackey. Saram, who has been acting as a mediator in the no-confidence debate, urged the opposition to file complaints through legal channels rather than resorting to personal insults.
According to Thai News Agency, Saram has faced ongoing criticism from the opposition since assuming his role as Speaker. He acknowledged their role in critiquing his work but stated that the accusations were largely unfounded and amounted to political maneuvering. He emphasized the importance of cooperation and adherence to parliamentary regulations to address overlapping work within the committees and prevent the misuse of power.
Sophon detailed his efforts to mediate the scheduling of the no-confidence debate, stating that he had negotiated with the opposition to allow flexibility in the timing of the debate. Despite reaching an agreement, he expressed disappointment with the opposition for later accusing him of stalling the process and serving the government's interests. Saram reiterated his commitment to maintaining the dignity of the House and ensuring efficient parliamentary operations.
He also addressed complaints about overlapping committee work, which he believes contributes to an excessive workload for civil servants. Saram indicated that he had approved new regulations to improve efficiency and ensure adherence to procedures. He rejected accusations that these actions were intended to silence the opposition, emphasizing the need for constructive dialogue and respect for parliamentary rules.
Sophon concluded by urging all parties to work together for the country's benefit and expressed his disappointment over the spread of misinformation and personal attacks. He called for a focus on factual discourse rather than rhetoric and reaffirmed his dedication to serving the nation without bias.