Bangkok: Heated debate erupted before the agenda item on the TH-AI Passport examination, with a heated exchange lasting over 30 minutes as members of the parliamentary committee argued about the authority to hold a joint meeting. Supachai, Nattawut, and Witawat joined forces to protest, threatening ethical violations and breaching regulations. They insisted the matter should be submitted to the Speaker for a vote first, stating they weren't silencing anyone but that the committee with the relevant responsibility should consider it. Meanwhile, Rome explained that a joint meeting for the same agenda item was permissible and wouldn't violate regulations. Rakchanok thanked the three Bhumjaithai Party members for their diligence in meticulously reviewing the regulations. Supachai then walked out, stating he would not participate in the discussion.
According to Thai News Agency, a joint meeting of the Committee on Education, Budget Preparation, and Monitoring, and the Committee on Law, Justice, and Human Rights, chaired by Ms. Rakchanok Srinok, MP (List System) of the People's Party, as Chair of the Budget Committee, and Mr. Rangsiman Rome, MP (List System) of the People's Party, as Chair of the Law Committee, was held to consider the issue of the Thailand-AI Passport.
Immediately after the meeting began, Mr. Witawat Traisaranakul, MP for Sisaket from the Bhumjaithai Party and a member of the committee, stated that he was unaware of a joint meeting of the two committees and requested clarification on the reason for inviting the Law Committee to the meeting. He also suggested that the decision to invite individuals should have been made within the committee itself.
Ms. Rakchanok clarified that during last week's committee meeting, a meeting notice was sent stating that it would be a joint meeting with the Committee on Legal Affairs. She requested that everyone refer to the letter sent in the LINE group. Furthermore, she explained that the secretariat always informs each committee member individually about every meeting. The reason for inviting the Committee on Legal Affairs was because citizens had filed complaints with the Committee regarding the TH-AI Passport.
Then, Mr. Supachai Jaisamut, a party-list MP from the Bhumjaithai Party, questioned whether the matter fell under the authority of the Legal Affairs Committee. He suggested that the issue should be referred to a committee with direct responsibility, such as the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Committee or the Budget Monitoring Committee. He argued that the Legal Affairs Committee should not interfere in a matter it shouldn't be involved in. He acknowledged the public interest in the issue and clarified that he wasn't trying to conceal the facts or silence dissent, but that the matter should be considered by the committee directly responsible, such as the Budget Monitoring Committee.
Mr. Nattawut Prasertsriwan, MP for Suphan Buri from the Bhumjaithai Party, raised concerns, similar to Mr. Supachai, about whether the joint meeting followed the regulations. Mr. Rangsiman explained that there are currently numerous complaints, and if they don't work diligently now, their work will not meet public expectations. This is why he included the agenda item as an additional item. Regarding the scope of authority of the Committee on Legal Affairs, he stated that it is quite broad, and he, as the committee chairman, had determined that this matter fell within their authority. He assured that there was no need to worry about compliance with regulations, as it was definitely in accordance with them. He affirmed that the entire process was in line with the regulations and facilitated the presentation of information so that those providing it would not have to attend multiple times.
However, Mr. Supachai reiterated that the matter presented was not within the authority of the Legal Affairs Committee, and that if there were any questions, they should be submitted to the Speaker of the House for a ruling on who had the authority. This prompted Ms. Rakchanok to respond by thanking Mr. Witawat Traisaranakul, Mr. Supachai Jaisamut, and Mr. Nattawut Prasertsukwan, members of the Bhumjaithai Party, for their diligence in meticulously reviewing the rules of procedure. She then requested the secretariat to present documents clarifying that a joint meeting was permissible.
At this point, Mr. Nattawut objected, saying the chairman had made a sarcastic remark. Ms. Rakchanok then asked, "Which word?" but Mr. Nattawut did not answer. Meanwhile, Mr. Supachai continued to object to the chairman in the meeting, until Mr. Rangsiman had to mute his microphone twice and stated that he was trying to maintain the atmosphere of the meeting and wanted everyone to see the documents showing that the joint meeting was permissible because it followed the regulations, and that joint meetings were not the first of their kind; they had also been held in the previous parliament. Mr. Supachai reiterated that this was not the responsibility of the Law Committee. If they thought they could continue the meeting based on their authority, they could do so, but he wanted it recorded as evidence. He also added that those who agreed with him, who believed that the Law Committee did not have the authority to deliberate on this matter today, should also have their comments recorded.
While Mr. Sonthiya Sawasdee questioned Ms. Rakchanok about the meaning of the word "Jun" in her Facebook post and the phrase "accidentally kicked the dog's food bowl," and whether the word "Jun" referred to her, as she had been invited to the meeting, Ms. Rakchanok replied that she understood "Jun" was a headline and that she needed to contact the news agency for clarification. Mr. Sonthiya countered that if he had to go and ask the news agency, he would not attend the meeting. Ms. Rakchanok then gestured, saying, "Please, the door is this way," and proceeded to the meeting agenda. The meeting participants debated for over 30 minutes before the agenda items were discussed.
Shortly afterward, Mr. Supachai left the committee meeting room and gave an interview stating that he understood the sentiment of the People's Party leaders who wanted to push forward with the investigation and dismantling of the TH-AI Passport project. He added that the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE) was ready to clarify the facts and there was no problem with that. However, the point he made in the meeting was that the Legal Affairs Committee did not have the direct duty and authority to consider the matter. Furthermore, joint meetings of this nature must follow legal procedures and regulations, and must obtain approval from Mr. Sophon Saram, the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
In one interview, Mr. Supachai referred to Mr. Rangsiman and Ms. Rakchanok as engaging in childish games, like two heads bumping together, but warned them not to use the committee as a tool. He stated he would not participate and disagreed with the committee's discussion on this matter, although he might attend to listen casually while sipping tea or coffee.
Approximately 30 minutes after Mr. Supachai left the meeting room, he returned and interrupted Ms. Rakchanok while she was recounting the timeline of the TH-AI Passport issue. He argued that the meeting was intended to provide clarification from relevant agencies, but it shouldn't be treated like a press conference, as it would waste the time of the agencies present. Mr. Rangsiman countered that if Ms. Rakchanok was deemed to have committed any wrongdoing, she should have pointed out which regulation she had violated. Ms. Rakchanok has the right to present information, and the agencies present are capable of doing so.
Mr. Supachai protested several more times, especially when he saw Mr. Nattapong Ruangpanyawut, a party-list MP from the People's Party, joining the meeting. He stated that, in summary, today's meeting was a setup by the People's Party, and if that were the case, he would not participate. Mr. Nattapong, however, insisted that it was not set up. He explained that he attended the meeting because he had been following the news and the live broadcast of the committee, and therefore sent a LINE message to Mr. Rangsiman requesting permission to attend.