Opposition Fears Parliament Speaker Will Close Session to Block Special Committee on Agricultural Prices; Criticizes Deputy PM Suthumpun's Durian Livestream Sales
Opposition lawmakers urged parliament to establish a special committee to address agricultural pricing crisis, citing government failures including a Commerce Ministry durian livestream that promised but failed to deliver promised prices to
At 2:05 p.m. on April 29, 2026, at Parliament, Prinya Wattrasinthad, a Pheu Thai list MP, joined by coalition opposition representatives including Radkhlao Intavongse Suvanakeeri and Loafung Bandittherdsakul, deputy leader of the Democrat Party, as well as Nathpong Sumnodharm and Piyavat Kittithanesworn, presented a joint statement urging the House of Representatives to establish a special committee to study solutions for agricultural product price problems.
Prinya stated that the motion had been explained since last week and believed the public recognized its importance. He confirmed the opposition's position that Parliament should form this special committee, though no indication yet exists whether the government side will agree. The opposition believes the committee should be established today to begin work immediately.
The opposition cited three urgent reasons: first, agricultural pricing is a critical and pressing issue affecting both product prices and farmer costs due to Middle East conflict impacts; second, government solutions have been misaligned, particularly citing the Commerce Ministry's durian livestream event that created market confusion by promising 100 baht per fruit but failing to deliver that price; and third, the special committee is necessary because the issue spans multiple ministries and should not be limited to a single standing committee.
Loafung emphasized that agricultural problems involve numerous government agencies, making a special committee essential to bring together government representatives, parliament members, civil service officials, the private sector, academics, and farmers to collaboratively develop solutions. He expressed concern that the parliament speaker might rush to close today's session.
Piyavat highlighted that farmer problems—including pricing, high agricultural costs, and the questionable effectiveness of livestream sales approach—are core issues for the Palang Dharma Party. He stressed that Parliament serves as a reflection of public concerns, and the special committee is important, urging its establishment.
Radkhlao noted that the current 27th Parliament has been blocking special committees, with only one special committee established despite months of work, ultimately resulting in regular committee referrals instead. She clarified that while committees can solve problems, some issues exceed the scope of regular committees and require special oversight.
