Opposition Files No-Confidence Motion Against 12 Thai Ministers
Opposition parties have filed a no‑confidence motion against twelve Bhumjaithai ministers, including Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, accusing them of Senate vote‑rigging, involvement in the AI passport scheme, local exam cheating, and failing to manage floods. The motion, based on Election Commission investigative files, marks the first such challenge to the Anutin‑led government. If approved, it could trigger a parliamentary debate and possible vote to remove the ministers.
On October 8, 2026, Natthaphong Ruangpanyawut, list‑MP and leader of the People’s Party, together with allies from the Democrat Party and other opposition groups, submitted a petition to House Speaker Sophon Saruny to open a no‑confidence debate against each of the twelve Bhumjaithai ministers in the Anutin‑led government, invoking article 151 of the constitution. The opposition says the ministers are all executive members of Bhumjaithai and appear in the investigative file of the Election Commission’s sub‑committee 26, which links them to the Senate vote‑rigging case, even though the EC decided not to forward the complaint to the Supreme Court’s election division. They argue there is sufficient evidence to proceed with a no‑confidence motion, pointing to financial trails of close associates, questionable ethical conduct, and accusations of manipulating Senate appointments to dominate the chamber and interfere with independent agencies. In addition, the motion critiques the government’s handling of the Th‑AI passport project, its response to scam‑call networks, alleged corruption in local examinations, and its failure to adequately address flooding in Bangkok and several provinces. Before filing, the opposition team planned to review the documents once more. The ministers named for possible censure are: Anutin Charnvirakul (Prime Minister and Minister of Interior), Surasak Phetcharayawong (Minister of Tourism and Sports), Chaichan Chidchob (Minister of Digital Economy and Society and party secretary‑general), Nan Buntida Suchai (Deputy Minister of Digital Economy and Society and party spokesman), Pharadon Prisananantakul (Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office), Suksumruan Wattaneeyakul (Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office), Napinthorn Sirisaranphong (Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office), Supamas Itsarapakit (Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office), Jessadet Thai‑SET (Deputy Minister of Interior), Woraset Liangprasert (Deputy Minister of Interior), Siripong Angusakulkiat (Deputy Minister of Transport), and Phattharaphong Phatprasert (Deputy Minister of Transport).
