Move Forward’s Padipat Suntiphada has endured a tumultuous start to his time in office as the first deputy speaker of the House of Representatives.

Two controversies have overshadowed his first two months in the role. The first came when he drew flak for promoting a new craft beer made in his home province of Phitsanulok. More recently, he was slammed for spending almost 100,000 baht in parliamentary funds on a barbecue buffet for Parliament housekeeping staff.

In addition, Padipat has decided to keep his post even though this will mean that Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat must relinquish his right to lead the opposition in Parliament.

The 41-year-old second-time MP from Phitsanulok was also criticized by fellow MPs for failing to dress properly while chairing a House meeting after he showed up without a tie.

Testing the limits

In keeping with the progressive principles of his Move Forward Party, Padipat appears to be challenging existing norms and rules. However, his recent actions have sparked a backlash and accusations he is acting like a wayward child.

In mid-August, Padipat posted a photo of himself on social media holding up a can of craft beer. The caption informed readers that the new beer was now available in Phitsanulok, his constituency.

After critics pointed out that the advertising of alcoholic beverages was illegal, Padipat said he had “no intentions of challenging the law”. Instead, he was “trying to walk a tightrope” on the matter, he explained.

“I wasn’t persuading people to drink. I was just telling them [that the beer] is available,” he said. He nevertheless deleted the controversial post soon after. Move Forward has pushed for the liberalization of liquor laws to allow smaller manufacturers to enter the market.

As for hosting the feast for the housekeeping staff, Padipat explained the money used had been taken from the entertainment fund of about 2 million baht a year in line with parliamentary regulations.

In the hot seat

However, his actions may have landed Padipat in hot water. Serial complainer Srisuwan Janya recently submitted separate complaints against the deputy speaker over his post on craft beer and for hosting the barbecue buffet.

Srisuwan asked House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha to order an investigation into Padipat’s conduct. He also petitioned the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to investigate the deputy speaker for allegedly breaching political etiquette.

The petitioner claimed that by posting an image of the craft beer, Padipat had violated both the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, which prohibits the advertising of alcoholic beverages, and the criminal code. This offense carries a jail term of one year and/or a maximum fine of 50,000 baht.

In the complaint filed with the NACC over the barbecue, Srisuwan alleged that the deputy speaker had misused taxpayers’ money for personal and political gain.

“I believe the deputy House speaker has misused the money and could face criminal charges. He should have used his own money, instead of official funds,” Srisuwan said.

Missing the top post

Padipat was originally tipped for the dual role of House speaker and Parliament president under the eight-party coalition led by May 14 election-winner Move Forward.

However, after Move Forward and its No. 2 coalition partner Pheu Thai fought over the post, political veteran Wan Noor of the third-largest coalition party, Prachachat, emerged as a compromise candidate.

On July 4, Wan Noor was voted in as the new House speaker. Padipat had to settle for the post of first deputy speaker, while Pheu Thai’s Pichet Chuamuangpan became the second deputy speaker.

After the Move Forward-led coalition collapsed in late July, Padipat was left in the dubious position of being an opposition MP serving as deputy House speaker – a position traditionally reserved for a government MP.

No legal prohibition

However, Padipat pointed out that there was no provision in either the Constitution or parliamentary regulations that required him to step down now that his party sits on the opposition bench.

“The House speaker and two deputy speakers are required to perform their duties with no bias, no matter which party we are associated with,” he added.

Pita voiced his support for Padipat’s stance last Friday, insisting he did not have to give up his post as deputy speaker of the House.

The party leader has also shunned the post of opposition leader, explaining: “I don’t think people voted for me to become the opposition leader. That is not a position we want.”

Pita added that his party was already preparing for the next general election, and he would retain his position as its PM candidate.

The law does not prohibit an opposition MP from serving as House speaker or deputy speaker. However, if they keep the seat, the Constitution dictates that their party leader must relinquish his/her right to lead the opposition. In this current case, the charter stipulates that the post of opposition leader must go to the party with the second-highest number of seats in the opposition.

Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, the outgoing government’s legal expert, has confirmed that if Padipat does decide to keep the deputy speaker’s post, the leader of the Democrats – the second largest party in opposition – will become the next opposition leader.

By Thai PBS World’s Political Desk