Government Confident It Will Survive No-Confidence Vote Against 18 Ministers
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he is confident the government will survive a no‑confidence debate targeting 18 ministers, including himself, after expecting support from the 74‑seat Pheu Thai coalition partner. The motion, signed by 145 opposition MPs led by People's Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, accuses the ‘blue regime’ of monopolising power and being an enemy of democracy. He added that the 17 other Bhumjaithai ministers will be able to answer the opposition’s questions.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressed confidence that the government will survive the no‑confidence vote in the House of Representatives regarding the general interpellation motion filed by the opposition coalition. He especially believes that the Pheu Thai Party, a coalition partner with 74 seats, will vote in support because being in a coalition entails certain decorum. Furthermore, Anutin said he is confident that the other 17 ministers, all from his Bhumjaithai Party, will certainly be able to respond to and clarify the interpellation questions raised by opposition members. This confidence comes ahead of the opposition's no‑confidence debate. The motion, which will be debated, was filed by Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, a list‑MP and leader of the People's Party, together with 145 opposition MPs who signed the motion submitted to the House Speaker. It is an individual interpellation of the 18‑member cabinet, led by Prime Minister Anutin and the Bhumjaithai Party leader; the remaining 17 are all ministers from Bhumjaithai. The opposition leader said the accusations will focus on the 'blue regime' that currently monopolises the country, which they regard as an enemy and a crime against democracy. Regarding the allegations against the prime minister and the 18 ministers, the opposition considers them serious. The opposition's no‑confidence motion is an exercise of constitutional oversight under Section 151 of the 2017 Constitution, and it is the first such motion in the current House session. Although the prime minister and the ministers facing accusations have recently been viewed unfavourably in public opinion, their parliamentary position remains strong because the coalition parties maintain good relations. Consequently, the opposition will need to rely on solid, comprehensive, and credible information, including issues that interest the public such as the Senate caucus case, local election fraud allegations, flood‑mitigation efforts, the economic crisis, and various social problems. The opposition hopes to be well prepared with weighty evidence, while the government should allow the oversight process to proceed fully.
