The opposition is preparing to propose laws in three areas, pressing 'Sophon' to disclose information on the committee screening the petition sent to the Supreme Court president in the 'Saksayam' share-hiding case, pointing out that the process may be one of stalling. It is revealed that a meeting with coalition opposition parties has been scheduled soon to discuss filing a censure motion.
At 8:45 a.m. on 25 August at Parliament, Nattaphong Ruengpanyawut, a party-list MP and leader of the People's Party, made a statement following the shadow Cabinet meeting that the draft Annual Budget Expenditure Act for fiscal year 2027 is about to enter its second and third readings in the House on 7–9 September. He said the party has received information regarding projects at risk of corruption, at risk of poor value for money, or having other problems identified during the committee stage, which will be presented to the House in the next order of business.
Nattaphong continued that, as for the third agenda item, which the party intends to push with full force during this parliamentary session, it is the proposal of various pieces of legislation. The first group consists of laws relating to the promotion of the political system or good democratic processes in Thailand, including a draft constitution or other related legislation. There are also laws relating to life and the environment, various PRTR laws, as well as a Land Transport Act that devolves power to local authorities to design their own public transport systems.
Nattaphong further stated that, in addition, there are labour protection laws and laws promoting public welfare — specifically the push to reform the Social Security Fund — and finally, the reform of the state apparatus and the promotion of greater efficiency in the public sector, such as a Public Information Act and a Budget Procedure Act, or a reform of the budget system, which has already been placed on the meeting agenda.
Nattaphong went on to say that he has one demand he would like to send directly to Sophon Saramul, President of the House of Representatives — he would like Sophon to act on what he had previously announced in his vision statement upon taking office as House President, namely that he was ready to allocate parliamentary sitting days specifically for the consideration of legislation proposed by MPs or civil society. He therefore would like the House President to allocate additional time to allow for the fullest possible consideration of legislation.
Nattaphong also stated that the fourth item concerns following up on the referral of the matter to the President of the Supreme Court to establish an independent inquiry committee to investigate the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) over its resolution to dismiss the complaint in the share-hiding case of Saksayam Chidchob, former Minister of Transport. He said the party is now raising the question of whether the House President is attempting to stall and is not handling this matter in a straightforward manner.
Nattaphong added that the party believes the House President can act within the scope of his own authority, and put forward four points: 1. Request that the names of the committee members be disclosed, along with the powers and duties of the screening committee that has been established; 2. Request clarity on the timeframe, as the party does not want this process to become one of stalling, especially since the public is also following it; 3. Request that representatives of the petitioners be invited to provide information to the screening committee, as this process should not be one where the committee appoints itself, conducts its own inquiry, and reaches its own resolution without fully hearing from all parties; and 4. Request that the minutes of the meetings and the results of the deliberations be disclosed transparently.
Nattaphong also stated that the fifth agenda item is the filing of a no-confidence motion against the government under Article 151 of the Constitution. In his capacity as Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives, he has already scheduled a meeting with the other coalition opposition parties, and an internal discussion will be held within the next one to two weeks. He said that if there is any progress, he is ready to communicate it within the bounds of what can be disclosed.
