Labour Minister Rejects Revenge Claims Against Bhumjaithai
Labour Minister Jutiphan Amornvivat denied any revenge plot against the Bhumjaithai Party and said MPs are free to vote in the no-confidence debate without pressure. He expressed confidence the government can answer questions raised and stressed the administration remains united. The remarks came as the opposition filed a no-confidence motion against 18 ministers, none from the Pheu Thai Party.
On October 12, 2026 at the Labour Ministry, Jutiphan Amornvivat, Labour Minister and leader of the Pheu Thai Party, addressed the opposition's no-confidence motion targeting 18 ministers under Article 151, noting that no minister from his party is included. He downplayed concerns that the move would cause rifts among coalition parties, saying such worries are overblown and will have no effect. He emphasized that the Pheu Thai Party is working with its coalition partners to drive the country forward, fulfilling its assigned duties fully, and is not preoccupied with the no-confidence debate.
He said he trusts the opposition will present new information to society and believes the ministers under scrutiny have sufficient data to respond. Regarding MPs, he noted they already possess constitutional privilege to listen to information, deliberate in parliament, and decide independently without party or group interference; this personal judgment is the privilege of the no-confidence vote. The government’s duty is to respond, and he is confident the prime minister and implicated ministers can do so.
When asked about the prime minister’s instruction to coordinate explanations if ministries overseen by the Pheu Thai Party are mentioned, Jutiphan said no special preparations have been made, but he is ready to respond if the issue relates to their work. He also rejected the notion that not being targeted in the debate is pressure on Pheu Thai to decide on past issues such as the Senate caucus case, asking why one would not think it is simply because their work has been satisfactory and free of concerns.
Asked whether the party would still vote confidence after seeing clear evidence during the debate, he said one must wait until the debate concludes, listen to both the debaters’ reasoning and the ministers’ responses, and assess whether doubts have been fully addressed. As an MP, his duty is to listen from start to finish, and the final decision rests on each MP’s individual privilege.
Regarding speculation that Pheu Thai might seek revenge for the Bhumjaithai Party’s abandonment of a ship during Paetongtarn’s premiership, Jutiphan denied any such motive, stating the party focuses on governance, not emotions or grudges, and that the people's benefit is the priority.
