Thaeng Refuses to Apologize to Senators Over Blue System Claims, Denies Undermining Upper House

At 10:00 AM on May 25, 2025, at parliament, Nathpong Rueangpunya, Pheu Thai Party leader and list MP, spoke to reporters following a shadow cabinet meeting regarding the Senate's rebuttal to accusations of operating a 'blue system' and a three-day ultimatum for an apology. Rueangpunya said he had not yet reviewed the detailed statements due to their complexity and requested to examine them first.

He stated he was not opposed to making a statement but wanted people to understand how those making statements were involved in the final Senate selection process. He suggested checking the names would clarify the intent behind the statements, confirming the party wanted to make parliament more connected to the people.

Rueangpunya emphasized the post didn't name specific individuals but raised observations that society also questioned. He affirmed the party's pure intentions to strengthen parliament-people linkage and called on senators to address problems in Senate selection through constitutional reform. He outlined three key principles the party wanted in a new constitution: strengthening parliament-people connections, not granting special privileges to any senator group, and inviting all senators to support these principles.

When asked if the Senate would accept a draft that didn't maintain the 1-3 Senate voting principle, Rueangpunya explained that while political parties and the Senate could propose constitutional drafts, the process must pass parliament in first reading, then be amended in committee where all drafts would be discussed. If consensus is reached, he hoped senators would accept it, demonstrating sincerity and openness without protecting special interests.

Rueangpunya denied the party was undermining the Senate, clarifying that the three principles simply meant not adding special privileges to senators since drafting a new constitution differs from amending the existing one. New constitution-making should grant parliament equal rights across all sectors. Regarding the 'blue system' accusations, he explained the party was communicating about political monopoly, noting the Bhumjaithai-led government wielded executive power while this political bloc dominated the Senate, which had selected independent agencies under this monopoly. This undermined checks and balances, harmed transparency, and caused corruption indices to rise faster than the economy—harming people and businesses. Senators should support strengthening checks and balances by opening up the constitution-making process to build public confidence.