Opposition Accuses PM Anutin of Dodging No-Confidence Debate

At 12:30 p.m. on October 28, 2026, at Parliament, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, list-MP and leader of the People's Party, in his capacity as opposition leader in the House of Representatives, gave an interview regarding negotiations on the no-confidence debate date. He said the person least prepared is the Prime Minister, who has never attended parliamentary duties. The latest news pushes the debate to early December again, but the opposition insists it is not stalling. The five-day, 60-hour framework is appropriate given the number of ministers to be grilled. However, talks revealed the government's schedule is packed, so the opposition would accept four days including weekends. The government claims November is unavailable, but Natthaphong views this as a weak excuse and believes the PM himself is the one avoiding scrutiny.

Asked if the opposition would accept a debate starting December 6, Natthaphong said further delays harm the public interest. The people expect the executive to be accountable to the parliamentary process, and the no-confidence debate is a key opposition tool to check the government. He added the opposition is ready to perform its duty whenever the PM stops dodging Parliament.

"The sooner the better, because our original intent was for it to happen last week. But we understand the government whip meeting said five days was impossible and requested four. The opposition agreed, provided we could adjust internally first. But once we proposed this, the PM said he could only attend in December. I see this as an attempt to stall and avoid the grilling," Natthaphong said.

Reporters read out the PM's November schedule, which includes overseas trips for the ASEAN and APEC summits. Natthaphong acknowledged the PM has important engagements but believes that with a four-plus-one day format and weekend sessions, dates in November could be found. He urged the government to manage its schedule and not use it as an excuse to avoid the debate.

Asked if he agreed with People's Party executive Pisit Manuwat's suggestion that the PM skip the summits and send Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Sisak Phuangketkaew instead, Natthaphong said the Foreign Minister can deputize, but he could not say whether the PM should go. If the PM does attend, Natthaphong wants him to raise the Mekong toxic contamination issue with Chinese representatives, as China is key to resolving it.

Regarding the selection of opposition speakers, Natthaphong said speakers have been ready since last week, but content preparation depends on the evolving political situation. Core arguments have long been prepared, and speaker preparations are ongoing.