Thailand’s opposition has agreed to remove a reference to the monarchy, which the government may find provocative, from its censure motion to avoid protests from coalition MPs.
Government and opposition whips met on Thursday under the chairmanship of House Speaker Chuan Leekpai to resolve the conflict over part of the motion which reads “…not upholding nor having faith in a democratic system with the King as the head of state; undermining and opposing democratic governance; destroying the good relationship between the monarchy and the people; using the monarchy as an excuse to divide the people and using the monarchy as a shield to deflect its failures in national administration.”
Chuan reportedly told the meeting that, even if opposition parties refuse to change the content in question, the censure motion would proceed anyway.
Mr. Sompong Amornvivat, opposition leader and leader of the Pheu Thai party, promised the meeting, however, that he will withdraw the motion and rewrite it.
Palang Pracharat party MP for Bangkok, Mr. Sira Jenjakha, expressed his appreciation to the opposition for its agreement to change the content.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and nine ministers are to be targeted in the no confidence debate, tentatively scheduled for February 16th through 19th, with voting on the 20th.
