Phusarin Slams Speaker for Blocking Opposition from AIPA Delegation
People's Party MP Phusarin Ramwong accused House Speaker Sophon Saran of blocking opposition lawmakers from joining Thailand's delegation to the AIPA meeting in the Philippines, filling slots only with government-aligned MPs. She warned this politicization caused Thailand to miss deadlines for submitting key resolutions on regional issues like transnational crime, pollution, and human trafficking.
Bangkok, November 4 – MP Phusarin Ramwong, a People's Party list MP for Bangkok, addressed the selection and appointment of the Thai parliamentary delegation for the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) meeting scheduled for November 16-22 in the Philippines. She stated that House Speaker Sophon Saran not only attempted to encroach on the authority of the House Committee Chair in the House of Representatives but also exhibited behavior obstructing cooperation on the regional parliamentary stage.
Phusarin noted that at last year's AIPA meeting, MP Rangsiman Rome, a People's Party list MP, and other People's Party representatives performed their duties as Thai parliamentary delegates to full capacity. Notably, they clarified and debated with Cambodian delegates regarding the border conflict and clashes, demonstrating that diverse representation effectively safeguards the country's highest interests.
Phusarin added that by convention and established practice, the Thai parliamentary delegation for international meetings must comprise MPs from both opposition and government parties, as well as senators, to jointly drive international work. Regardless of affiliation, all are representatives of the Thai people elected through the democratic process.
She questioned why, in this year's AIPA preparations, the House Speaker did not appoint any opposition party MPs as national delegates, including only names from his own faction and the government side. This year's AIPA convenes under the theme "Parliament Securing a Peaceful, Prosperous, and People-Centered ASEAN," addressing urgent issues directly affecting the quality of life for Thais and ASEAN citizens: combating call-center gangs and scammers, cross-border pollution and haze, chemical contamination of major rivers, violence against children, and human trafficking.
Phusarin warned that delays and the Speaker's lack of participation raise questions about whether the regional stage is being used for political games, causing Thailand to miss the deadline to submit and push important resolutions. Whether intentional blocking or negligence, the clear result is that Thailand loses its rights and the people's burning issues are not advanced on the international stage.
Phusarin emphasized that the ASEAN regional stage is not a personal fiefdom to wield power arbitrarily or allocate quotas solely to one's own cronies. The House of Representatives does not belong only to coalition parties, and such monopolistic actions constitute a neglect of national interests and a denial of opportunity for the people's representatives.
