House will not deliberate reconciliation bills on first day of new session

The new session will begin next Wednesday. Worawat said the coalition whips would propose that the House put other topics on the House agenda when the House convenes a meeting on Wednesday.

Before the last parliamentary session ended, the coalition flexed its majority muscle to put the reconciliation bills as the first item on the House agenda.
The bills have led to widespread criticism and there are concerns that they will cause the situation to deteriorate in the already politically torn country.

House Speaker Somsak Kiartsuranon is among the several sides who have called on sponsors of the four national reconciliation bills to withdraw them to avert political confrontation.

Worawat said the drafts would have to be withdrawn by the sponsors on a voluntary basis and the coalition whips have not yet discussed the issue with the bills’ sponsors.

“But I hereby affirm that the reconciliation bills will not be discussed on Wednesday,” Worawat said.

Regarding the Cabinet reshuffle, Worawat said he believed any reshuffle would have to wait until after August 12.

Worawat said he believed Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra would change only Cabinet members who have poor performance.