Anutin ready to face opposition in no-confidence debate

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he was unfazed by the opposition’s threat to seek a no-confidence debate against his government, adding that he and his ministers were ready to defend themselves against any accusations and address any doubts opposition MPs may have about the administration.

He told the media at Government House today that a censure debate should not be merely a session for his ministers to respond to questions raised by opposition MPs.

Instead, it should be an opportunity for the government to dispel any doubts the public may have, he said, adding that each minister targeted by the opposition must be well prepared to face the challenge.

Regarding the possibility that the opposition may raise questions over alleged collusion in the election of the Senate two years ago, the prime minister said his administration had only taken office this year, so the two matters should not be connected.

Nonetheless, he said his government would respond to questions from the opposition about the Senate election if they were related to the government’s performance.

Otherwise, the government would not respond, he said, adding that the Senate election issue was merely a political game being played by the opposition in an attempt to discredit his administration.

The prime minister also brushed aside a suggestion that an incident in Buri Ram province, in which his motorcade was stopped at a roadblock for a search by police and local administrative officials, might have been stage-managed for publicity purposes.

He said the officials were simply performing their duties as part of an anti-narcotics operation.