Senators have warned Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra that she may face a censure debate if she continues to miss Senate meetings, allegedly to avoid responding to senators’ interpellations.
Senator Premsak Piayura, accompanied by fellow senator Seranee Anilbon, told the media today that there were three interpellations addressed to the prime minister today, requiring verbal responses, but she did not show up or assign any of her ministers to respond on her behalf.
One of the interpellations concerns Dr. Boon Vanasin, former chairman and founder of Thonburi Healthcare Group, who is charged with embezzlement and money laundering after allegedly cheating investors out of more than 20 billion baht.
Dr. Premsak said that the Senate wants to know how the government is dealing with the issue, because Dr. Boon has already fled overseas.
Asked whether the Senate will send an urgent missive to remind the prime minister of her responsibility to respond to senator’s interpellations, Dr. Premsak said that the Senate may have to turn to the “spiritual leader” of the Pheu Thai party, apparently referring to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, for answers to their queries.
The senator then appealed to Paetongtarn to attend a Senate meeting to respond to senators’ queries on various issues, instead of spending time publicising the government’s performance during its first three months in office.
Premsak noted that the prime minister prefers to make speeches and issue announcements because, for those, she can avoid answering questions.
