A meeting of political parties to assign the chairs of 35 House Standing Committees yesterday (Monday) made no progress, as the parties refused to compromise, according to Pichet Chuamuangphan, second deputy House spokesman.

Pichet was speaking after chairing the meeting at which the parties submitted their requests for committees they want to chair.

“The desires for chairmanships have overlapped among the parties. They have refused to back down or compromise, so the meeting made no progress,” he said.

The date of the next meeting has not yet been set, Pichet said, adding “If they still cannot reach an agreement, I will resort to drawing lots as a solution, so that the committees can start work as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, Move Forward’s secretary general Chaithawat Tulathon said it is normal for parties in government coalitions to want the chairmanships of House committees which relate to the ministries they control.

Move Forward, which is in opposition bloc, believes, however, that there are many committees which the opposition should chair, such as those related to budgets and anti-corruption.

It would limit the checks and balance system if government parties were allowed to take the chairmanships of committees that are related to ministries which they head, Chaithawat said.