Thailand Politics
Non-Confidence Vote Sought Over Prayut’s Oath Blunder
The Constitutional Court has said that taking the oath of office was strictly a matter between the government and His Majesty the King. Scrutiny by “constitutional agencies” was off limits including the NACC.
BANGKOK – The opposition in Thailand’s parliament is looking to petition the court and bring a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister. For ethical violations stemming from his oath blunder.
The announcement follows the general debate in parliament on Wednesday, in which Gen Prayut was grilled for not having recited the complete oath of office.
Mr Wan Nor said Gen, Prayut failed to explain the oath blunder during the debate and there were grounds for ethical violations.
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, who is in charge of legal affairs, offered a clarification during the debate.
The fact Gen Prayut said nothing in his own defence over the oath bluner shows his intention to violate the constitution. Which amounts to a gross ethical offence, Mr Wan Nor said.
Non-Confidence Vote Over Prayut’s Incomplete Oath-Taking
The premier omitted the final sentence of Section 161 of the charter oath, which requires the oath-taker to uphold and abide by the constitution.
Mr Wan Nor said the seven opposition parties would meet to consider a petition to be forwarded to the Supreme Court. They would decide on the content and how it should be worded.
The petition would be examined by Mr Chuan to see if it was supported by at least 151 MPs as legally required.
After that, Mr Chuan would pass the petition to the NACC, which would decide whether the alleged ethical violation holds water. If so, the agency would put the petition before the Supreme Court.
Controversy Over Prime Minster Gen. Prayut’s Oath Taking
The court is authorized to set up an independent panel to study the prime minister’s ethical conduct relating to the incomplete oath. According to sources of the Bangkok Post.
If and when the court admits the petition for consideration, Gen Prayut would be suspended from prime ministerial duty. Should the panel finds he has violated the code of ethics he would have to step down.
Mr Wan Nor added Gen. Prayut would be subject to a censure motion over the oath in a no-confidence debate.
Mr Wissanu, however, did not foresee any problems with the opposition filing its petition.
The Constitutional Court has said that taking the oath of office was strictly a matter between the government and His Majesty. Scrutiny by “constitutional agencies” was off limits including the NACC he said.
Source: Bangkok Post, Thai PBS
