Opposition parties have cried foul over government parties’ last-minute proposal to cut the time, already allocated for the general debate, from 22 to 18 hours.

Pakornwut Udompipatskul, the opposition chief whip, said today that opposition whips are still undecided as to whether to join a meeting with government whips to discuss the sudden change of timing for the debate, scheduled to be held tomorrow and Thursday.

He claims that the 22 hours was proposed by government whips at their joint meeting on March 23^rd and he has already asked the government whips whether they are sure that the six hours allocated to them are sufficient and they confirmed they are.

Pakornwut said that opposition parties have already prepared speakers to take part in the debate, using the 22 hours already allocated, adding that he will suggest that the debate be extended until late at night, so there will be more time for government MPs to speak on behalf of the administration, instead of seeking to shorten the time already allocated to the opposition.

“This is not graceful at all,” he complained.