Government Spokesperson Accuses Opposition of Political Theater, Questions Donations

Government spokesperson Ekkapap Piraphat pushed back against opposition claims that the "blue regime" is covering up committee work and blocking scrutiny. He explained that Parliament operates through both the main chamber and committees, which are traditionally formed proportionally from all parties and have functioned without issue because members did not split into government versus opposition blocs. Ekkapap said the current dysfunction stems from excessive political gamesmanship rather than a genuine pursuit of results. He added that accusations of cover-ups are incomplete because each committee sets its own agenda and guest list — a prerogative of the committee chair — and past practice was based on consensus.

The current problem, he said, is that some committee chairs exceed their authority and call votes without a quorum, worsening the atmosphere. He cited live-broadcast rules that have informed the public well but are sometimes exploited for drama. The government, as the executive, has consistently given time and cooperation to committees and the main chamber, such as during question time, and is focused on substantive issues like agricultural prices rather than daily political theater.

Regarding People's Party deputy secretary-general Pirat Chongthep, who as chair of the House committee on legal affairs, justice and human rights announced a 7-0 vote to invite the prime minister to explain in the main chamber, Ekkapap said he had only just learned of it from the news. He noted that a committee resolution requires either a majority or one-third of members, and questioned whether the chair had miscalculated or was distracted by protests elsewhere. He also asked how much the People's Party has raised since opening donations, given that they stalled debates for over a month citing distrust but have not disclosed the amount collected.

Ekkapap suggested the party may have planned the donation drive in advance: they first proposed debating on Nov 27-30, then extended to Nov 26-30, then demanded five days, sulked back and forth, and finally agreed to early December while immediately releasing a professionally produced donation appeal. He stressed that all parties must disclose how donations are spent, as required by law, and urged the People's Party to reveal their sources and expenditures, including state funding from the Election Commission. He added that Prime Minister Paetongtarn has ordered Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to investigate all foundations that may be misusing funds or diverting public money, emphasizing that every party should be transparent about spending.

Separately, the Bhumjaithai Party plans to propose amendments to House meeting regulations, which critics say could allow the majority to dominate proceedings.