Parliament Erupts in Heated Dispute Over Southern Border Motion

At 3:25 p.m. on September 3, 2025 at Parliament, the House of Representatives reconvened after a 30-minute break, with Mallika Jiraphanthavanich, First Deputy Speaker, presiding. Before voting on which motions to consider first, the meeting remained deadlocked. Akkharadej Wongphitakrojan, a Bumiputra Thai Party MP from Ratchaburi, called for a vote and urged the chair to silence all speakers and move to a decision. After Mallika called for voting, the House approved an oral motion on addressing unrest in southern border provinces with 266 votes in favor, 108 against, 33 abstentions, and 2 absent.

Before proceedings began on the southern border motion, further chaos erupted when Abhisit Vejjajiva, Democrat Party leader, demanded his own previously submitted motion on southern border solutions be included on the agenda and insisted the Prime Minister be called to answer it. Raveewit Periscananandakul, a Bumiputra Thai Party MP and council chair, countered that the Defense Minister and relevant agencies could answer instead. Mallika ruled that Abhisit's motion was a duplicate and violated meeting rules, triggering a heated exchange. She appealed to both Raveewit and Abhisit to withdraw their proposals so the session could proceed, noting all MPs had good intentions even if procedural errors occurred.

Nattapong Ruangpanyawitti, a People's Party MP and party leader, protested the chair's conduct, arguing Abhisit's motion had proper sponsorship and the chair's only duty was to follow rules, not express opinions. He stated he intended to withdraw his motion only if the chair agreed, but since she did not, the House moved forward with voting. Mallika countered that Nattapong had already signaled withdrawal, and urged lawmakers to focus on work rather than political drama. Rangsimanth Rom, People's Party deputy leader, accused the chair of creating unnecessary drama, insisting Nattapong's conditional withdrawal was not a true withdrawal.