“Natthaphong” Urges Government to Expedite No-Confidence Debate, Offers Flexibility to Cut Time to 4 Days, Insists Opposition Is Ready Any Time Even Weekends, Fearing Delay Tactics

Today (26 October 2026) at 9:30 AM at Parliament, Mr. Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, list MP and leader of the People's Party, gave an interview regarding progress in negotiating the date and time for the no-confidence debate, stating that what he does not want to see is the debate motion being dragged out until it fails to be placed on the agenda within the current parliamentary session. He noted that in his experience he has never encountered such an event, but he still believes House Speaker Sophon Zarum intends to place the motion on the schedule in time, even though preliminary information shows the Cabinet's schedule is somewhat tight, which he believes can still be managed.

Regarding the timeframe, the opposition maintains its original proposal but remains flexible. If the government wishes to reduce it to 4 days, the opposition asks for time to coordinate among coalition opposition parties to pare down content and speakers, which affects all opposition parties. However, he reaffirmed that whether it is scheduled for this week, next week, or two weeks from now, the opposition is always ready, requesting only that the government promptly clarify its schedule as to when it will be ready to attend Parliament.

Mr. Natthaphong emphasized that the 5-day, 60-hour framework previously proposed was appropriate since up to 18 ministers are slated for censure. However, as the government cites official duties, the opposition does not wish to set conditions; if it needs to be reduced to 4 days, they simply ask for time to manage it. Whether it takes place next week, the following week, or includes Saturday and Sunday, the opposition is ready at all times, as Parliament does not necessarily have to close on weekends.

When asked about the possibility of pushing the debate into December, Mr. Natthaphong stated that behind-the-scenes data indicates the schedule of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet still has openings if managed well, particularly regarding domestic duties that are not foreign engagements, as well as utilizing weekend time. Therefore, he views it as the government side being unready to face the censure.

Regarding questions about rescheduling mobile Cabinet meetings, Mr. Natthaphong expressed that tasks not involving foreign representatives, such as mobile Cabinet meetings, can be managed by the government itself. Looking at past conduct—such as Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul never showing up to answer interpellation questions in Parliament, or multiple government representatives avoiding coming to answer questions—it reflects that the government places little emphasis on the parliamentary forum and actively seeks to evade scrutiny. He reaffirmed once again that the opposition is ready for the censure debate immediately every week, depending entirely on when the government will be ready.

Meanwhile, Mr. Phisan Manawapat, shadow foreign minister of the People's Party, added regarding the ASEAN and APEC Summits that if the Prime Minister is dedicated to performing duties according to the oath of office, the PM can assign Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, to act on their behalf, as he possesses expert capability and can represent Thailand effectively, which would also enhance the country's image.

Mr. Phisan concluded that the leader not attending certain days of a summit or being unable to attend at all due to the once-a-year no-confidence debate can easily be explained to international counterparts, and it actually presents a positive image for the country by demonstrating a democratic system where leaders prioritize internal national interests and listen to the voice of the people through MPs.

Photo : Weeraphat Ratsameerueangrong