Joint Parliamentary Session Scheduled For March 6

[Jai Dee]

Joint parliament session expected to begin on March 6.

House speaker Pokin Polakul (โภคิน พลกุล) has put the joint parliament meeting on the agenda, expecting to begin the meeting on March 6.

Mr. Pokin said that he has received a letter asking for the opening of a joint parliament session from Prime Minister Thaksin Shinnawat. He said that the issues to be debated range from FTAs to the corruption scandals. He said that on March 1, representatives of the two sides will be invited for a meeting to set up a framework and time allocation in the debate. He said that there is no problem if the MPs want to debate for the whole week, adding that the debates will last only 8 hours per day.

He said that the meeting is expected to start on March 6. He said that comments questioning or criticizing the premier can be done if it follows regulations, as this meeting is a general debate and not a no-confidence debate.

The House Speaker also urged all MPs to follow the meeting’s regulations during the debates.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 Febuary 2006

[Jai Dee]

Dr. Surapong: govt is ready to answer to every question in the joint parliamentary session

Government spokesperson Surapong Suebwonglee (สุรพงษ์ สืบวงศ์ลี) said that many topics would be discussed in the joint parliamentary session. The topics would cover from national administration and the laws imposed by Finance Ministry and government agencies related to the sale of Shin Corp’s shares.

The meeting will also discuss the issues of political reform, constitutional amendment, fraudulent activities in the government, and the issues related to Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as well as the security for the demonstrations.

Dr. Surapong indicated these topics are in the interest of general public. He said that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has affirmed that he is willing to answer to every question and the government will not fix the timing of the session so that every party can freely express their opinions.

Government spokesperson confirmed that the joint parliament session will not be held to decrease the course of the rally planned on the 26th of February but it has an aim to inform people about the performances and responsibilities of the government in solving the problems.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 Febuary 2006

[Jai Dee]

Wang Nam Yen will not join the Opposition in launching no-confidence debate.

Spokesperson of the Wang Nam Yen (วังน้ำเย็น) faction in the Thai Rak Thai party said that the faction will not join the opposition’s effort to seek a no-confidence debate against the Prime Minister, suggesting that the opposition use the joint parliament session to debate issues instead.

Ubonrajtani (อุบลราชธานี) MP Supol Fong-ngarm (สุพล ฟองงาม) commented on a call by opposition whip Satit Wongnongtoey (สาทิตย์ วงศ์หนองเตย) for the Thai Rak Thai MPs to support the motion for no-confidence debate against the Prime Minister that the faction will not join the opposition’s effort. He said that the Prime Minister has resorted to opening a general debate to discuss issues in question, allowing the MPs to express their opinions.

He said that Mr. Satit’s call is a political game and lacks sincerity. He said that instead of seeking a no-confidence debate, it should use all information it has obtained to debate issues in this forum.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 Febuary 2006

[Jai Dee]

Opposition Whip will confer today on the upcoming joint session of the two Houses

The Wang Nam Yen (วังน้ำเย็น) faction will not be joining the Opposition in signing of the list calling for a no-confidence debate on the prime minister. In the meantime the Opposition is preparing to confer on the upcoming joint session of the two Houses on March 6th.

Opposition Whip Leader Sathit Wongnogtoey (สาทิตย์ วงศ์หนองเตย) stated that the Opposition Whip will today confer on the upcoming joint session of the Upper and Lower Houses. However he indicated that the session would not help with scrutinizing the prime minister as there are limitations in the topics of debate. He also saw that Parliament President Bhokin Bhalakula's (โภคิน พลกุล) work did not possess enought neutrality.

Democrat Party Leader Abhisit Vejajiva (อภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ) commented on the upcoming joint session, and said that discussion should be made in issues regarding ethics and the prime minister should address the issues by himself.

In the meantime Wang Nam Yen faction leader Sanoh Thienthong (เสนาะ เทียนทอง) said he did not agree with a general debate without voting, as it would not do any good because the public already knew the truth. However he alslo said that his faction would not join the Opposition in calling for a no-confidence debate as he deemed that the Opposition was "lost" in its effort to seek the no-confidence debate on the prime minister.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 23 Febuary 2006

[Jai Dee]

Sanoh said that general debate will prove fruitless as the public already knows the fact.

Leader of Wang Nam Yen (วังน้ำเย็น) faction indicated that joint parliament session for a general debate will not provide any benefits as most people already know all the facts.

Thai Rak Thai party-list MP Sanoh Tienthong (เสนาะ เทียนทอง), who is the leader of estranged Wang Nam Yen faction, said that the general debate will not prove beneficial, adding that it is too late to discuss the current issue in parliament, as most people already know all information. He said that if the premier did not intend to commit mistakes, the people are willing to forgive him.

However, he said the premier has repeatedly committed the same mistakes, which have caused damages to the nation. He said that this can be considered as premeditated action. However, he said that the opposition party should not seek a no-confidence debate, as it is no longer useful, adding that the Wang Nam Yen faction will not join the opposition’s move.

In addition, about 30 students from Ramkamhaeng (รามคำแหง) university came to present bouquets in support of Mr. Sanoh Tienthong who was the first person who came out against the premier.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 23 Febuary 2006

[Jai Dee]

The Democrat Party leader has demanded the govt to revise the structure of the joint session of both Houses

The Democrat Party leader APISIT VEJCHACHIWA (อภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ) has demanded the government to revise its framework on the joint session of both Houses as he views that organizing the conference does not provide advantgae for the general public.

He said the government's purpose of holding the meeting is to provide details of the distribution of the Shin Corp Plc’s shares which is not the the main objective. Ar Apisit said people have lost confidence in the premier in his behavior rather and than doubting the Revenue Department. Therefore Mr Apisit would like to see the government to take account of the Prime Minister.

He added that he has assigned Mr. Kietra Sittiamorn (เกียรติ สิทธิอมร) to follow up the share distribution and handed letter to Commerce Minister to scrutinize the purchase of the shares. Meanwhile, he believes that the Securities and Exchange Commission cannot answer every query.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 23 Febuary 2006