House Speaker Says Opposition Delayed No-Confidence Debate, Not Government

House Speaker Sopon Sarum confirms the government has been ready for a no-confidence debate since last month, but the opposition was not ready and requested a delay. He urges the public not to be mislead by distorted facts, stressing the debate must not become a platform for trading insults or political grandstanding.

On October 31, 2026, House Speaker Sopon Sarum addressed the motion setting a date for a no-confidence debate against 18 ministers. Observers noted a 60-day wait since the motion was filed, but Sopon insisted the facts do not match the accusations. Under a negotiated four-plus-one-day framework, the government was ready from the first agreed dates of October 27-29. However, the opposition informed they were not prepared and asked to postpone to November or December within the current session. After Sopon was assigned to negotiate, the dates were set for December 7-10, still within the same four-day framework.

"Claiming this is the only government that delayed and refused to debate, dragging out time, is untrue," Sopon said. "The government has been ready since last month but had official duties. I want a fresh understanding because speaking without facts only confuses the public, benefiting no one. As the legislative head, I speak straight and take no sides."

Sopon added that the latest agreement on debate time, originally set from 9:00 a.m. to midnight, was unilaterally extended to 72 hours — adding about 12 hours — which he viewed as violating the original understanding.

He emphasized the executive and legislative branches are not enemies; scrutiny is normal in democracy. But if society forces them into constant opposition, governing becomes harder. "I want to see genuine cooperation — not 'grandstanding' but serious oversight. This stage must not be for hurling insults, as I've often said, because it ultimately benefits no one," Sopon concluded.