Inquiry into Somsak's study trip postponed
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The House Committee on Parliamentary Affairs yesterday postponed the inquiry into the House speaker's controversial trip until next week.
Pheu Thai MP Phaichitr Sriworakhan, chairman of the House panel, said House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont would be returning today, so the inquiry should begin when the panel meets next.
Democrat party-list MP Boonyod Sukthinthai submitted a motion to the panel, calling for an inquiry into the House speaker’s study trip, which was joined by some academics and reporters.
At the meeting yesterday, the panel confirmed that it would go ahead with the inquiry, though the committee chief said it would only begin once Somsak and his entourage return to Thailand today.
Phaichitr said he would summon Sompol Wanikkhaphan, the House deputy secretary-general, to testify about the trip because he was in charge of the study trip project, adding that he did not need to have Somsak testify.
Meanwhile, Boonyod told the panel that he would like clarification on two points.
First, he wants to be provided with details on how Bt7 million was spent on the trip and what was the criteria of deciding which reporters would be part of Somsak’s entourage. Second, he wants details on the appropriate code of conduct employed in relations between MPs and reporters.
Boonyod said he had learned that organisers of the trip had made no arrangements for Somsak’s entourage to visit the workings of the British Parliament because it had taken place at a time when the parliament was in recess.
