Pheu Thai to get tough with MPs who skip debate

The warning was issued after only a small number of Pheu Thai MPs showed up on Saturday, leading to the lack of quorum. The party chief whip was threatened with removal from office if he failed to ensure enough MPs attended the all-important deliberation. Defaulting MPs will first be given a warning and if it is not heeded, they will not be supported in the next poll. 

A Pheu Thai source, who asked not to be named, added that party-list MPs who are contenders for a Cabinet position but fail to attend the joint-House deliberations will not be considered.

Government chief whip Aumnuay Khlangpha said each government whip controls eight MPs and they’re pushing to ensure no MPs will be absent. He said some MPs have other responsibilities and may have to travel back and forth between Parliament and their constituencies, adding that only six were missing on Saturday.

The chief whip said he’s not sure if charter debate can be completed this week but said the meeting is scheduled from Monday to Wednesday.

Some appointed senators yesterday criticised Senate President Nikom Wairatpanij for being behind the decision not to hold a Senate session today so senators could join the joint-House session with MPs on the proposed constitutional amendment. Nikom was criticised as wanting to serve his own interests as part of the proposed charter amendment would allow him to seek the position of senator without resigning as president.

Appointed senator Paiboon Nititawan said he would like Nikom to bear in mind that 90 per cent of the population wanted the Senate to address other issues affecting their livelihoods and not charter amendment.

He also accused Nikom of acting as if the Senate was his fiefdom, adding that the proposed amendment of Article 5 (9) of the charter would allow Nikom to not have to resign before seeking a new term as Senate president. Kamoon Siddhisamarn, another appointed senator, said the Senate, including the Senate president, should be free from the influence of the House of Representatives and such a decision should be made in consultation with both bodies.

Prasarn Marukpitak, another appointed senator, said eight days and nights have been spent on the joint-House charter reform deliberation, although it will benefit no more than 3,000 politicians. The public had given no sign that the matter should be rushed and ramming it through is against the principle of transparency if not unconstitutional.

Appointed senator Somchai Swangkarn, said there are 160 issues waiting to be deliberated by the Senate and the Senate president should consider the interests of society and not act on his own whim.