Thai Minister Agrees on Three-Day No-Confidence Debate Timeline
Thai Minister Pradad Prisananantakul announced plans to meet with three party whips to set a three-day schedule for the upcoming no-confidence debate. He defended a recent meal with Anutin Charnvirakul and Thamanat Prompow as purely friendly and dismissed rumors of pulling Thamanat into the government. The debate is set for October 27-29, with a vote on October 30, while the prime minister will be abroad October 30-31.
Pradad Prisananantakul explained that the government whip must be consulted to finalise the debate timetable, and that he is ready to negotiate. He reiterated his confidence that the no-confidence discussion will span three days, noting that a special cabinet meeting is scheduled for October 26 and the prime minister’s overseas trip on October 30-31 limits the debate window to October 27-29, with a vote planned for October 30. When asked about reaching an agreement with the opposition in time, he said talks must be reasonable given time and substance constraints. Regarding criticism that three days is insufficient, he said they would discuss it further but expected a meeting the next day, though no formal appointment had been made. On the government’s confidence in winning the vote, he cited a recent clear statement from the Pheu Thai Party secretary-general. Concerning a widely circulated photo of Anutin Charnvirakul and Thamanat Prompow sharing a meal, he described Anutin as having many friends and said such a gathering was nothing unusual, leaving any political interpretation to others. Asked about possible mergers between the Bhumjaithai and Kaotham parties, he smiled and said the question should be directed to the parties’ executive committees. On whether the Kaotham Party might join the government after the debate, he said it was too early to speculate, noting even the debate’s duration was still uncertain. Finally, he said any cabinet reshuffle after the debate would be the prime minister’s prerogative, but if changes were discussed within the party they would need to be agreed upon and decided.
