Chaos in Parliament after Democrat evicted

During the House-Senate joint session for the second reading of the charter amendment bill, Watchara also demanded documents related to alleged misuse of the hotel accommodation budget from Suwichak Nakwatcharachai, secretary-general of Parliament, although Somsak insisted the documents had already been handed to the MPs.

Before being removed, Watchara shouted: “How much longer will [the government] sell the country in order to shore up the price of other agricultural produce?” He was referring to the rice-pledging scheme.

All this led to a scuffle with police involving a few Democrat lawmakers, including Trang MP Satit Wong-nongtaey and Surat Thani MP Thani Thaugsuban. Satit said he had a red mark on his neck and went along with another Democrat MP to be examined by the parliament physician. Satit later showed the mark to reporters and said he would file a police complaint against the Speaker. 

Satit said Watchara fell down during the scuffle and was slightly injured. He vowed that the Democrat Party’s legal team would take legal action against the police officers as well, not just Somsak.

After prolonged booing following the eviction of Watchara, Somsak eventually called a recess. 

The police officers first pleaded with Watchara to leave the chamber on his own, but the MP refused. Democrat MP for Yala Prasert Phongsuwansiri said: “Isn’t it crazy having police overwhelm MPs? Are you not abusing your power? We don’t have to work from now on, we can’t, because the Speaker may dispatch police to handle MPs.”

Pheu Thai’s Khon Kaen MP Preechaphol Pongpanit proposed an investigation into the conduct of MPs who created disturbances in Parliament.