No Opposition Partners Join Pheu Thai's Planned Censure Motion

The splinter group of 12 Puean Pandin MPs refused to co-sponsor the motion of no confidence on the grounds it was too soon to form judgement on the Thai Government's performance.

Party leader Pracha Promnok, who also leads the splinter group, endorsed the decision to isolate the main opposition party. Pheu Pandin MPs will not take part in grilling the Government.

Pracha said he was still willing to discuss the matter with the Pheu Thai Party although his group had already decided to drop support for the censure.

"Puea Pandin MPs have detected no suspicious activities to warrant the censure and the Pheu Thai Party has not shared any evidence to back up the charges," Puea Pandin MP Wallop Thainuea said.

Wallop's colleague Kittiwattana Pokmontri said the opposition should monitor the Government for a few more months before deciding whether to push for censure.

Another opposition MP, Suradet Yasawat, said he deemed it inappropriate for his splinter group to endorse the censure motion while mainstream Puea Pandin MPs remained on the coalition bandwagon.

Pracharat Party leader Snoh Thienthong urged the main opposition party to abandon the idea of the censure and opt for a general debate on the Government's performance instead.

Snoh said the censure, if held, would lack credibility and unnecessarily inflame political animosity. However, a general debate would be suitable under the present situation, while the Pheu Thai Party would not be obligated to nominate MP Chalerm Yoobamrung as replacement Prime Minister, he added.

Chief coalition whip Chinnaworn Boonyakiart said he expected the censure to take place on March 26-to-27.

Chinnaworn said the tentative date of March 25 was unsuitable because Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva would be abroad.

Source - The Nation