Politics House Chaos: First Meeting Ends in Under an Hour Due to Quorum Fiasco

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of PPTV36

 

The much-anticipated first meeting of Thailand's newly opened House of Representatives session ended in disappointment today, lasting less than an hour due to quorum issues.

 

MPs gathered eagerly in the chamber, but just 30 minutes in, a Palang Pracharath MP called for an official quorum count. Chaos ensued as Deputy House Speaker Pichet Chuamuangpan was forced to halt proceedings.

 

With lawmakers scattered around the parliamentary premises, the standoff saw Pheu Thai MPs attempting to prolong matters with a time-consuming roll-call attendance. Despite the scramble, many were missing in action, marking an embarrassing start for the new session.

 

Ultimately, Pichet called it quits after a futile 45-minute effort, underscoring the absence of the required 248 MPs from a total of 495 to officially proceed.

 

Key on the session agenda was a controversial proposal from the Pheu Thai-led government to introduce casinos under "entertainment complex" projects. This topic likely faces delays due to substantial opposition from lawmakers and public backlash, highlighting contentious start issues for the new government.

 

In a separate twist, Thai Sang Thai leader Sudarat Keyurapan demanded the resignation of party MP Takorn Tantasith. The reason? A ministerial appointment for his son in the latest Pheu Thai cabinet, clashing with the party’s position in the opposition bloc.

 

The young Chantawit Tantasith was offered the deputy commerce minister role by Thammanat Prompao, closely linked with Pheu Thai's influential figure, Thaksin Shinawatra.

 

Adding to the political drama, Thaksin’s daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, was temporarily ousted by a Constitutional Court order amidst an impeachment trial.

 

Still, she remains active in other cabinet areas, setting culture policy under the guidance of Phumtham Wechayachai. He leads the government as acting prime minister amidst complexities in the ruling coalition.

 

This episode leaves Thailand's legislative landscape muddled, underscoring political divisions and operational hurdles as the new session lurches forward. With immediate business halted, the implications for upcoming policies and governance remain precarious.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-07-04

 

 

[Pouatchee]

[dinsdale]

Dissolve both houses. Fresh national elections for both houses. CC and EC remains a problem as they are clearly are  arm of the military establishment. A coup is looking more and more likely IMO.

[ikke1959]

A reason more to hold new elections and with the strict rules that attending meetings is mandatory, a duty that can not be foresaked and if there is a no show up, without a valid reason you will be replaced by another who is willing to do his/her duty... Stop this madness of no quorum

Or another solution is that those who are in the meeting can vote and with 51% of the votes of the people who are attending the meeting the law will be passed or rejected... No show up is no rights.... 

[BritManToo]

8 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

A reason more to hold new elections and with the strict rules that attending meetings is mandatory, a duty that can not be foresaked and if there is a no show up, without a valid reason you will be replaced by another who is willing to do his/her duty... Stop this madness of no quorum

But they'd still be MPs, and just vote with the opposition.

[ozz1]

Thai politics is really one big joke just hold another election but no not while we are in the trough 

[hotchilli]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Ultimately, Pichet called it quits after a futile 45-minute effort, underscoring the absence of the required 248 MPs from a total of 495 to officially proceed.

Sad state of Thai politics

[IsaanGuy]

These people want to govern the country but can’t even be bothered to show up. So very Thai. 

[klauskunkel]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Paetongtarn Shinawatra remains active in other cabinet areas, setting culture policy under the guidance of Phumtham Wechayachai.

What culture policy has "the active one" come up with in the last 4 days? Name just one...

[kingstonkid]

31 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Sad state of Thai politics

MP's in all governments inthe world should be paid on attendance.  If they are not at work whenthey are supposed to be then dock them a days pay just like a normal business would.

[Will B Good]

 

 

....and the baht strengthens even further......

[The Alien]

Sadly, Thai politicians are the real enemies of the people. 

[Srikcir]

7 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Dissolve both houses. Fresh national elections for both houses. CC and EC remains a problem as they are clearly are  arm of the military establishment. A coup is looking more and more likely IMO.

The "Thai Senate cannot be dissolved. It has a fixed, non-renewable, five-year term. The Senate members are appointed, not elected, and serve their full term regardless of the political climate." (Google)

Incidentally, the Senate members have been selected by pro-military committees.

The House can be dissolved by a House majority no-confidence vote or by the PM. Then a national election must be held (apart from a military coup in 2014).

But as we've seen twice now since 2023 (I believe) the CC can unilaterally remove the PM without dissolving the House (thus preserving present House majority) and the House majority then selects the PM. No messy national election results that otherwise might give the People's Party a majority coalition.

[Gandtee]

If ordinary workers did not show up for work, they would be sacked. Why aren't these?

[dinsdale]

15 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

The "Thai Senate cannot be dissolved. It has a fixed, non-renewable, five-year term. The Senate members are appointed, not elected, and serve their full term regardless of the political climate." (Google)

Incidentally, the Senate members have been selected by pro-military committees.

The House can be dissolved by a House majority no-confidence vote or by the PM. Then a national election must be held (apart from a military coup in 2014).

But as we've seen twice now since 2023 (I believe) the CC can unilaterally remove the PM without dissolving the House (thus preserving present House majority) and the House majority then selects the PM. No messy national election results that otherwise might give the People's Party a majority coalition.

Fair point. You're correct. 

[thesetat]

1 hour ago, klauskunkel said:

What culture policy has "the active one" come up with in the last 4 days? Name just one...

She is the spokesperson for Thaksin. He tells her and she passes it on to the others. This way Thaksin can not be linked directly to his influence in government. 

[kiwikeith]

9 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Dissolve both houses. Fresh national elections for both houses. CC and EC remains a problem as they are clearly are  arm of the military establishment. A coup is looking more and more likely IMO.

This is a coup, it's called an incognito coup