Opposition to seek debate against Prayut over oath wording controversy

[webfact]

Opposition to seek debate against Prayut over oath wording controversy

By The Nation

 

 

Suthin Klungsaeng

 

The opposition on Thursday vowed to seek a parliamentary debate against Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha over the controversy related to his oath-taking wording.

 

Suthin Klungsaeng, chief opposition whip and Pheu Thai MP, said the opposition would invoke Article 152 of the constitution to submit a motion this week to seek the debate against Prayut.

 

Article 152 states: “Members of the House of Representatives comprising not less than one-tenth of the total number of the existing Members of the House of Representatives have the right to submit a motion for a general debate to enquire about facts or recommend issues without a resolution to be passed.”

 

Suthin said Prayut could not avoid answering the opposition’s questions when a debate is held under the provision of Article 152.

 

Prayut was accused by the opposition Future Forward Party of failing to state during the oath-taking rite that he and his Cabinet would protect the charter and comply with its provisions. The opposition said such a failure was tantamount to Prayut’s holding of the PM office being technically annulled.

 

On Wednesday, Future Forward MPs submitted an interpolation for Prayut to answer questions about the controversy but the prime minister led his Cabinet members in undertaking voluntary activities at the Foundation for the Blind in Thailand instead. Prayut said he did not have to answer the question as the issue was being investigated by the Office of Ombudsmen.

 

“I am confident that when the motion is submitted under Article 152, Prayut cannot cite any mission to avoid the debate,” Sutin said.

 

“If he avoids the debate, it will be tantamount to an intention to avoid complying with the charter.”

 

Sutin said although Article 152 does not spell out penalties for violators, action could be taken against Prayut for violating political ethics if he avoids the debate intentionally.

 

Sutin said once the motion is submitted to the House, House Speaker Chuan Leekpai must put it on House agenda on the appropriate order of debate.

Sutin said although the House has not finished drafting meeting regulations, the motion can be submitted in advance to wait for the regulations to be passed.

 

Article 152 allows such a general debate without voting on resolution at the end to be held once a year. Asked whether the opposition was concerned that no debate could be held on an issue that affects the people should it cite Article 152 to hold the debate on the oath wording, Sutin said the opposition believes the debate on the issue would be worthwhile.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30374794

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2019-08-15

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[keith101]

It would be interesting to know what words where omitted (or changed) from the oath .

[spidermike007]

Better that they move on and focus on far more serious transgressions by this incompetent heathen. 

[thaiguzzi]

23 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Better that they move on and focus on far more serious transgressions by this incompetent heathen. 

Much as we don't fully understand it, according to proper political Thai journos, this is really, really big news and deadly serious.

It is a huge matter and could (hopefully) blow up out of all proportions.

If the downfall of Mr P is down to (purposely) omitting a couple of sentences, i'm all for it.

Bring it on.

[Srikcir]

4 hours ago, keith101 said:

It would be interesting to know what words where omitted (or changed) from the oath .

First

Prayut has admitted he did not recite the oath as prescribed by the Constitution (written by the junta!). What he has said is that basically what he did say was sufficient. He has refused to apologize but it was no gaff. He will not redo the oath.

Second

Article 161 prescribes the oath: "Before assuming duties, cabinet ministers must swear an oath to His Majesty the King as follows:

'I (name of minister) swear I will be loyal to His Majesty and perform my duties honestly for the benefits of the country and the people. I will also uphold and comply with the constitution of the kingdom in every aspect'."

Third

A video of his oath taking shows that he instead said, "I (name of minister) swear I will be loyal to His Majesty and perform my duties honestly for the benefits of the country and the people forever."

Prayut added the word "forever" and did not include the last sentence "I will also uphold and comply with the constitution of the kingdom in every aspect'."

Fourth

As Prayut led his Cabinet ministers in the same oath taking, they also made the same change and omission. 

 

 

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

“I am confident that when the motion is submitted under Article 152, Prayut cannot cite any mission to avoid the debate,” Sutin said.

You can run but you cannot hide..

[spidermike007]

On 8/15/2019 at 2:57 PM, thaiguzzi said:

Much as we don't fully understand it, according to proper political Thai journos, this is really, really big news and deadly serious.

It is a huge matter and could (hopefully) blow up out of all proportions.

If the downfall of Mr P is down to (purposely) omitting a couple of sentences, i'm all for it.

Bring it on.

Hey, do not get me wrong. I would do just about anything to insure that Prayuth goes down in flames. He is single handedly the worst thing to happen to Thailand in decades. He and the rest of the nothing men of the army are beyond useless to the nation. 

[JAG]

On 8/15/2019 at 2:31 PM, spidermike007 said:

Better that they move on and focus on far more serious transgressions by this incompetent heathen. 

If this winds him up, go for it.

Anything which makes life uncomfortable..