Thai opposition starts censure debate against PM and ministers

 

FILE PHOTO: Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha speaks at the closing ceremony of the 35th ASEAN Summit and related summits in Bangkok, Thailand, November 4, 2019. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand’s opposition began a parliamentary censure debate against Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and five of his cabinet ministers on Monday, just days after the Constitutional Court dissolved a key party in the opposition bloc.

 

The censure motion is likely to fail, but the public debate represents the fiercest criticism Prayuth has faced since he transitioned last year from military ruler to head of an elected government.

 

Political tension rose in Thailand after the top court dissolved the Future Forward Party, the third largest party in parliament, and banned 16 of its senior members from politics for a breach of law covering political party funding.

 

The court’s decision sparked small protests around the country and was widely condemned the advocates of democracy. More protests were expected this week.

 

Prayuth, who first came to power in a 2014 military coup, is accused by the remaining opposition parties of coming to power through non-democratic means, ineffective administration, abuse of power and corruption.

 

“Prime Minister Prayuth ... allows corruption to thrive and uses the power of his position to benefit himself and others,” Sompong Amornvivat, the leader of the Pheu Thai party and the Opposition bloc said during the opening of the censure debate.

 

The debate will continue until Thursday and a vote of no confidence against the Prime Minister and five other cabinet ministers is scheduled to take place on Friday.

 

The government’s opponents have also turn up the heat on the government outside of parliament with the former spokeswoman of the Future Forward Party accusing Prayuth’s military junta of helping the previous Malaysian government to cover up a multi-billion dollar corruption scandal at sovereign fund 1Malaysia Developments Bhd.

 

Prayuth rejected the allegation and threaten to sue the spokeswoman, Pannika Wanich, who was also among the Future Forward leaders barred from politics last Friday.

 

“I told related agencies to investigate,” Prayuth told reporters. “If there is anything that can be sued they will do so.”

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-02-24

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Let's really hope these people have some clear evidence of wrongdoing.

 

It is a shame Prayut and his boys have been fully endorsed by an unnamed someone. I can't wait for the day they disappear into the abyss. 

"I told related agencies to investigate,” Prayuth told reporters. “If there is anything that can be sued they will do so.”

 

One way to retain power, use the judiciary.

15 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand’s opposition began a parliamentary censure

thailand's opposition died a few days ago

7 minutes ago, YetAnother said:

thailand's opposition died a few days ago

The timing was perfect - was anyone surprised? 

34 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

The censure motion is likely to fail

Nothing is more certain, unfortunately.

He has done everything possible, since fiddling his way into power, to stop any form of opposition to his current position. 

4 minutes ago, Artisi said:

The timing was perfect - was anyone surprised? 

Not really surprised, more upset/annoyed that their blatant lying manages to go so unquestioned or unchecked, I feel pretty sure that Future Forward will arise in another form and continue their good work in trying to get these Muppets out of office.

1 hour ago, Artisi said:

The timing was perfect - was anyone surprised? 

 

The guy to get to is not Prayuth, it is Wissanu.

 

And Prawit.

 

Prayuth does not have the brains or the strategy, he's just the front man - the patsy. The guys to get to are Wissanu and Prawit.

4 minutes ago, ParkerN said:

 

The guy to get to is not Prayuth, it is Wissanu.

 

And Prawit.

 

Prayuth does not have the brains or the strategy, he's just the front man - the patsy. The guys to get to are Wissanu and Prawit.

 

Your aim is too low and off target...

 

Aim higher kid. Much higher.

45 minutes ago, DLock said:

 

Your aim is too low and off target...

 

Aim higher kid. Much higher.

And, most of the year, much further.

1 hour ago, ParkerN said:

 

The guy to get to is not Prayuth, it is Wissanu.

 

And Prawit.

 

Prayuth does not have the brains or the strategy, he's just the front man - the patsy. The guys to get to are Wissanu and Prawit.

Doesn't matter who it was, it is the same shameful outcome which hopefully comes back to bite them. 

 

5 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

“I told related agencies to investigate,” Prayuth told reporters. “If there is anything that can be sued they will do so.”

 

Well, if what they said was false it would be easy to sue them. Prayuth knows whether the allegations are true or false - his actions prove them to be true (He wouldn't need an investigation if he knew they were fslse)

You be careful what you imply, DLock and Greeneking.

19 hours ago, Isaan Alan said:

"I told related agencies to investigate,” Prayuth told reporters. “If there is anything that can be sued they will do so.”

 

One way to retain power, use the judiciary.

Reminds me of Trump 

1 hour ago, Gee Ku said:

You be careful what you imply, DLock and Greeneking.

Be careful with what you think is being implied otherwise you might have the thought police looking for you.