The next PM vote, along with one to amend Section 272, will take place on 4 August 2023, the same day that the Constitutional Court considers the petition regarding Pita Limjaroenrat’s renomination. The House Speaker insisted Thaksin’s return is of no concern to parliament.
On 27 July 2023, House Speaker Wan Muhammad Nor Matha gave an interview regarding the upcoming PM vote, saying that he and some MPs will attend the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly from 5-10 August 2023, but the joint session will proceed as usual.
Wan Nor stated that he was informed that morning that the Constitutional Court has received the petition from the Ombudsman regarding Pita Limjaroenrat’s renomination, and on 3 August 2023, the Court will decide whether to accept the petition and issue an order to postpone the PM vote. Wan Nor said he discussed this matter with the relevant parties. Currently, there are two significant agenda items: the PM nomination and the amendment of Section 272, which allows the Senate to vote for PM.
Wan Nor remarked that if the Court does not accept the petition, parliament can proceed with the PM vote. But if the petition is accepted, and the Court issues an order to postpone the PM vote, the parliamentary session will move on to consider the second agenda item. Wan Nor said he will call a meeting for 4 August 2023.
He stated that the case of Thaksin Shinawatra, the self-exiled former Prime Minister, who announced his return to Thailand on 10 August 2023, would not affect parliament’s work.
Sita Divari of the Thai Sang Thai Party previously proposed using a majority of parliament's votes to amend the law to ensure fairness for Thaksin. Wan Nor reiterated that the issue does not concern parliament since Thaksin is an ordinary Thai citizen, like any other. He emphasized that parliament's role is to legislate and perform according to the constitution and the rules of parliament. He added that political parties’ proposals will be considered within the framework of the Constitution.
The Constitutional Court was reported on 26 July 2023 to have scheduled a meeting on 3 August 2023 to consider the petition filed by the Ombudsman. The petition was filed after parliament voted not to allow Pita’s renomination, and requested a ruling on the case and a Court order to suspend PM selection until the ruling is delivered.
The Constitutional Court could decide not accept the petition; or to accept the petition but not issue an order to postpone the PM vote; or to accept the petition and order postponement of the PM vote.
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