Bangkok:Mr. Koravee Prisnanantakul, MP for Ang Thong Province and Chairman of the House of Representatives Coordination Committee, led a group of government-side committee chairpersons to defend House Speaker Sophon Saram against allegations of obstructing or stripping committee powers. The chairpersons emphasized their compliance with the legislative guidelines and regulations set forth by the Speaker.
According to Thai News Agency, the defense was mounted during a press conference where Mr. Koravee and other committee chairpersons clarified the oversight functions of the parliamentary committees. They stressed that there was no obstruction or seizure of power, and the Speaker acted According to 2019 committee regulations.
Mr. Koravee outlined that if the 35 committees adhere to the guidelines from the Speaker, their work would not be hindered. The guidelines focus on committee authority, meeting schedules, agenda setting, and requesting individuals or documents. He asserted that these guidelines align with existing regulations and merely clarify the roles and responsibilities of committee chairpersons.
Meanwhile, Mr. Watcharapong Kuwijitsuwann, MP for Saraburi, criticized some committee chairpersons for letting personal biases affect their judgment. He insisted that the Speaker had not exceeded his authority and that any claims of power revocation were a miscommunication. He urged adherence to the 2019 regulations to avoid such misunderstandings.
Additionally, Mr. Supachai Jaisamut raised concerns about the Committee on Law, Justice, and Human Rights, citing disorderly conduct and violations of regulations. He filed a complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission and proposed a unified approach to address these issues. He reiterated that all actions should comply with the regulations and the Constitution, emphasizing the importance of legislative adherence.