BANGKOK: (Bernama) Thailand’s opposition parties on Thursday (Oct 8) filed a no-confidence motion against 18 ministers, including Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, accusing the government of allowing what they described as the "Blue Regime” to expand its influence across key state institutions.
Opposition leader and People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut said the motion, filed under Section 151 of the Constitution, was signed by 145 opposition MPs.
Natthaphong said the debate would focus on what the opposition calls the "Blue Regime”, which he alleged was seeking to consolidate power beyond the House of Representatives.
"We view the Blue Regime as an enemy of and a crime against democracy. It is clearly opposed to democracy and is taking control of this country,” he told reporters at Parliament.
The motion sets out allegations against each of the 18 ministers, including Anutin, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, and Defence Minister Lt Gen Adul Boonthamcharoen.
Natthaphong alleged that the influence could extend to the Senate and independent organisations responsible for checks and balances.
He said the motion also covers alleged corruption in the Senate election and local government examinations, as well as issues affecting the public, including flood management.
The opposition, he said, was confident in the information and evidence supporting its allegations and would pursue legal action against individual ministers if the debate uncovered evidence of wrongdoing.
Natthaphong also urged MPs from both the government and opposition camps to base their decisions on the information and evidence presented during the debate.
The parliamentary session for the no-confidence debate is expected to be scheduled for late October. - Bernama
