BANGKOK, OCT 26 (TNA) — A special parliamentary session started to discuss solutions to national problems with the presence of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
The session was set to last 23 hours comprising eight hours for opposition members, five hours each for government MPs, senators and cabinet ministers and 1-2 hours for the parliament president. The session today was scheduled for 9.30am-10pm. The rest part of the debate would continue tomorrow and there would not be a vote in the session.
Parliament president Chuan Leekpai said members of the parliament and cabinet ministers could raise any subject for debate concerning the coronavirus disease 2019, the blockage of a royal motorcade that led to the declaration of the state of severe emergency and a series of anti-government demonstrations that prompted a crackdown with water cannons. Mr Chuan said that the debate was likely to be problem-free and everyone had duties to perform.
Mr Chuan said that officials would implement normal security measures for the special parliamentary session. He dismissed a proposal to deploy 13 companies of police to guard the parliament during the session.
Opposition chief whip Sutin Klangsaeng said a closed-door session would be necessary if the debate touched sensitive matters and members of the parliament should avoid any speech that would cause division in the country.
The special parliamentary session followed a series of anti-government demonstrations that have called for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut, a new constitution and the reform of the royal institution. (TNA)
