The opposition will only have one day to grill Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on his incomplete oath-taking during a House session early next month.
“We think one day should be enough to get things done,” chief government whip Virat Ratanasate said on Thursday after considering a motion of 214 opposition MPs on the debate.
The session will start at 9am and end in the evening, he said, adding that the timing is suitable because the opposition only wants Gen Prayut to give an explanation of the oath gaffe and use this opportunity to give some suggestions to his cabinet members.
However, Pheu Thai Party leader Sompong Amornwiwat disagrees with the plan to limit the debate to just one day.
That should be talked about and jointly determined by MPs on both sides, he said, adding that he personally believes the debate should take between two and three days.
The bloc demanded Gen Prayut clarify before the House of Representatives why he failed to recite the final sentence of Section 161 of the constitution, which requires the oath-taker to uphold and abide by the constitution, during the cabinet’s swearing-in ceremony last month.
House speaker Chuan Leekpai has yet to set a date for the debate, but because he treats this motion as a special case, the date should be no later than sometime early next month, Mr Virat said.
“I think the premier will answer questions himself if they’re directly related to him,” he said.
Mr Virat also warned opposition MPs against speaking off topic or beating around the bush.
If they fail to comply with this rule, “we will need to request an end to the debate”, he said.