Bangkok:"Rangsiman" evaded giving a direct answer, deflecting the question to the "opposition whip" regarding whether they are preparing to submit a motion under Article 152 to undermine the "government."
According to Thai News Agency, Rangsiman avoided answering, deflecting the question to the opposition whip regarding whether they are preparing to submit a motion to interpellate the government under Section 152. He stated that he is not involved in the process and is only responsible for the interpellation under Section 151.
Mr. Rangsiman Rome, a party-list MP from the People's Party, commented on the news that the opposition coalition would request a general debate without a vote under Article 152 of the Constitution to counter the government's delay in the general debate and no-confidence vote against individual ministers under Article 151 of the 2017 Constitution until December. He stated that he is initially only responsible for the no-confidence debate under Article 151, which will take place between December 7th and 11th. However, there is still over a month remaining that can be used to scrutinize other issues, including potential crises.
He could not yet confirm whether this remaining month would be used for a general debate under Article 152, as he is not responsible for that aspect. He suggested that this matter should be inquired from the Opposition Coalition Coordination Committee in the House of Representatives (Opposition Whip).
"It's just that several MPs feel that this period should be used for the parliament to discuss other important issues, but I don't know yet if it will reach the point of a debate under Article 152," Mr. Rangsiman said.
When pressed on the possibility of submitting a motion for debate under Section 152, Mr. Rangsiman said that if it were to be submitted, it would be possible because they already know the schedules of the Prime Minister and all ministers. If a debate were to be held, he believed it could be done because it addresses different issues. Section 151 is about a no-confidence debate and requires allegations, while Section 152 allows government MPs to speak on matters such as the administration of the country and bringing up the grievances of the people in the debate.
"There are some members who are genuinely interested in submitting it, but I want to emphasize that I cannot answer whether it will reach that stage or not, as I am not in the process. There are definitely MPs from the People's Party who are interested in submitting it, but I don't know about other political parties," said Mr. Rangsiman.
When pressed further on whether this was a final decision by the People's Party, Mr. Rangsiman stated that he was not involved in the process and therefore did not know if discussions had been held with other opposition parties. However, he believed that given the time available, it could be accomplished. He reiterated that he could not answer whether discussions had taken place with other opposition parties.