Members of the Senate Committee on Political Development and Public Participation have started seeking support among their fellow senators for a general debate against the government.

Senator Derekrid Janekrongtham, vice chairman of the committee, claims that most committee members agreed with holding a censure debate under Section 153 of the Constitution, so senators can question the government and individual ministers about their performances and government’s policies.

Derekrid said that there are seven major issues about which committee members would like to question the government, including the digital wallet scheme, the labour problem, state welfare management and the health of convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The Council of State has just agreed that the government can proceed with issuing a loan bill to seek about 500 billion baht to fund the digital wallet scheme.

Thaksin’s claimed health issues and his prolonged treatment at the Police General Hospital have also become the subject of public attention and criticism over the alleged privileged treatment of the prisoner.