Cabinet approves decree to extend parliamentary session
Play
The Cabinet yesterday approved a decree to indefinitely extend the current parliamentary session in order to allow time to consider uncompleted draft laws, according to a government spokesman.
Deputy government spokesman Pakdiharn Himathongkham said yesterday that the decree would be submitted for royal endorsement soon.
The current 120-day legislative session is due to end on April 18.
“There are draft laws awaiting deliberation by the two Houses of Parliament and some others being deliberated by the House of Representatives,” the spokesman said.
The ruling coalition last week took advantage of its majority to push for parliamentary approval for its request to have the current session deliberate non-legislative matters, such as proposals from the House panel on national reconciliation.
Political observers expect the government, during the extra time, to focus on issuing a reconciliation law or an amnesty bill and pushing for passage of a constitutional amendment to allow establishment of a constitution drafting assembly.
Chief government whip Udomdej Ratanasathien said after the whips’ meeting yesterday that the House would debate tomorrow and on Thursday whether to support reconciliation proposals by the House panel headed by General Sonthi Boonyaratglin. After endorsement from the House, the matter would be referred to the government for further action, said Udomdej, who is an MP from the ruling Pheu Thai Party.
He expected the current session of Parliament to be extended till the end of the month in order to allow time for second and final readings of the constitutional amendment bill, in addition to other laws sponsored by civic groups that require parliamentary deliberation.
Coalition whip Jirayu Huangsap, who is a deputy Pheu Thai spokesman, expected the House meeting on reconciliation proposals would be completed in two days. He said he did not think the meeting would end abruptly due to insufficient MPs for a quorum or a walkout in protest against the move.
