All eyes on Prayut as opposition gets ready for policy debate

The government is required by the Constitution to announce its policy statement to a joint sitting of MPs and senators. 
This debate is being closely watched by political observers as it will be the first time that the opposition can attack Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, and it will also be the first time that Prayut will face questions as a politician instead of a coup leader who had absolute power. 
Observers say they will wait to see if Prayut can control his temper in this first challenge from the opposition, which many see as a warm-up for a censure debate later. 
Meanwhile, Chuan said he consulted with Senate Speaker Pornpetch Wichitcholchai on Friday and they have both agreed that the policy debate must wrap up by July 27, ahead of His Majesty the King’s birthday on July 28. He added that the coalition and opposition whips and the Senate’s coordinating committee will consult one another on the allocation of time slots for the government, MPs and senators to debate the polices. 
The debate will be held at the TOT convention hall which has adequate seating for the 750 parliamentarians, he said. 
Chuan added that he has instructed the House secretary-general to coordinate with the government to distribute copies of its policies to lawmakers ahead of the meeting.