Opposition Files Section 152 Motion, Accuses PM of Dodging Parliament

Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut submitted a general debate motion under Constitution Section 152, calling it another mechanism to scrutinize the government. He criticized the prime minister and Cabinet for not respecting parliamentary processes, noting the PM spends parliamentary time greeting MPs instead of answering interpellation questions. At a November 2 press conference at Parliament, Natthaphong, a party-list MP and Prachachon Party leader, said Section 152 is one mechanism the opposition can use in the House. He stressed the crucial issue now is that the government must respect and prioritize parliamentary mechanisms — whether debate stages under Sections 151 and 152 or other forums like answering committee questions and interpellation. The behavior of Cabinet ministers suggests they give little or almost no importance to the parliamentary stage. "When the PM enters Parliament, instead of taking the podium to answer interpellations, the PM uses the time to walk around greeting MPs in the chamber. It becomes a case of entering Parliament but not performing one's duty, or the executive duty of being accountable to the legislature," Natthaphong said. He added that submitting a Section 152 motion or not, it remains one of the mechanisms the opposition can use to perform its oversight duty. Asked about the Pheu Thai Party targeting individual ministers with Section 151 censure motions rather than Section 152, Natthaphong said Prachachon values every stage and channel. On who decides whether to file a Section 152 motion, he said it may involve political calculation and isn't always stated publicly. Responding to the PM's remark that ministers will answer if asked, Natthaphong said the opposition has made many direct invitations through media and behind-the-scenes coordination. Instead of the executive blocking out time — at least one day a week, Thursdays — to answer in Parliament, the opposition now has to chase ministers' availability. He called this a flawed working approach. "I want everyone to know: we've made the PM and Cabinet available whenever they're ready, yet we still don't see the PM or Cabinet performing their duties with responsibility to Parliament," Natthaphong said.