29-9-2023 (BANGKOK) On Friday, House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha expressed his hope that the House of Representatives would promptly name the opposition leader. This follows the election of a new leader, Chaithawat Tulathon, by the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) and the expulsion of Padipat Suntiphada, an MP for Phitsanulok, from the party.
The MFP elected Chaithawat Tulathon as its new leader and formed a new executive committee on September 23. Subsequently, the party decided to expel Padipat, who was serving as the first deputy House speaker, to pave the way for Chaithawat’s appointment as the opposition leader.
According to Section 106 of the 2017 constitution, the opposition leader is appointed from the largest party in the opposition camp. MPs holding this position must not serve as cabinet ministers or as the House speaker or deputy speaker.
Wan noted that despite his expulsion, Padipat can continue to fulfill his duties as the first deputy House speaker while seeking a new political party to join. Under the Political Party Act, an MP expelled from a party is required to join a new party within 30 days to maintain their MP status. At least two opposition parties, Thai Sang Thai and Fair, have expressed their readiness to welcome the 41-year-old politician.
Padipat’s expulsion had been widely anticipated as a tactical move by the MFP to ensure that the post of deputy House speaker remains in the hands of its allies, allowing the party to play a full-fledged role as the main opposition party.
Wan stated that the MFP is obligated to inform the Election Commission (EC) of its resolution to expel Padipat. He also planned to consult the EC about Chaithawat’s election as the new MFP leader so that the new opposition leader can be appointed expeditiously.
When questioned about potential issues arising from having a deputy House speaker from the opposition camp, particularly in light of efforts to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code or the lese majeste law, Wan believed there would be no problems. He emphasized that all deputy House speakers must perform their duties as directed by the House speaker, as required by the House regulations.
Regarding the justification for the MFP’s expulsion of Padipat, Wan refrained from offering a comment, noting that it was the party’s decision. On the subject of potential legal challenges to the constitutionality of Padipat’s expulsion, Wan declined to comment, stating that such a scenario had not occurred.
Senator Wanchai Sornsiri characterized the MFP’s actions towards Padipat as deceptive. He contended that the MFP, despite portraying itself as upholding high standards, was no different from other parties when it came to power aspirations. Wanchai asserted that the public was aware that the expulsion was merely a pretext for the party to retain the position of deputy House speaker. He argued that although the MFP claimed to have adhered to the constitution, it should have considered political ethics, moral principles, and appropriateness in its actions.
