The main opposition Pheu Thai Party has defended naming Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin on a list of cabinet ministers targeted for a no-confidence vote.
Mr Suchart recently accused the party of submitting a no-confidence motion without the consent of MPs. He said that originally, his name was not among a list of cabinet ministers targeted for the censure debate.
His name was added at the last minute without the knowledge of opposition MPs who supported the motion, he said, arguing the motion was therefore illegal.
Pheu Thai secretary-general Prasert Chantararuangtong yesterday said the MPs signed the motion before the censure targets were named.
He insisted the move was legal, noting the names on the target list can be updated before the final version is submitted to Parliament President Chuan Leekpai.
Currently, the opposition lists 10 names of targeted cabinet members.
Those named include Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit, Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob
The others are Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, Social Development and Human Security Minister Chuti Krairiksh, Mr Suchart, Deputy Finance Minister Santi Promphat and Deputy Interior Minister Niphon Bunyamanee.
The prime target of the no-confidence motion is Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Mr Prasert said 13–14 ministers were shortlisted as likely targets in the beginning. However, an opposition meeting later decided there were too many targets and the names were reduced to 10, he said.
The meeting resolved to go ahead and grill Mr Suchart, he said.
Mr Prasert said the names of the targeted ministers could not be disclosed nor finalised when the motion was signed because the issue had to be kept confidential.
"They [the MPs] knew the motion would be adopted and take effect," the Pheu Thai secretary-general said.
He added he had no idea what political game Mr Suchart was playing when he asked the parliament president to probe the motions.