Scrutiny of the constitutional amendment bill in its second reading should be completed by the end of November, paving the way for a final vote once the parliamentary session opens next month, says House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha.
He said he expects the entire process to be concluded before the New Year.
Mr Wan said a special parliamentary session to hasten the amendment process could be called under two conditions: the government must first coordinate with parliament, and the ad hoc constitutional amendment committee must have completed its work. However, he expressed concern the committee may not finish its deliberations by middle of this month as earlier hoped, with the timeline likely extending to late this month or early next month.
He cautioned that if a special session were held, it could run into a quorum issue because some committee members who are MPs are scheduled to travel abroad on official duties. “At the very least, I would like this parliament to complete the third reading of the charter amendment bill so it can proceed to a national referendum during the next general election,” Mr Wan said.
“The key issue is whether parliament can pass the amendment — that depends on both formal and informal discussions among the committee members,” he said.
Regarding remarks by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul that he might dissolve the House if a no-confidence debate is initiated, Mr Wan said the dissolution power rests solely with the prime minister and can be exercised at any time — except after a no-confidence motion has been formally placed on the House agenda.
He said that even if the opposition submits a motion to the House Speaker, the prime minister still retains the authority to dissolve the House until the motion is listed for debate. “For example, if the motion lacks the required number of MP signatures, it would be considered invalid,” Mr Wan explained.
“Personally, I believe that if there is no substantial issue to justify a no-confidence debate, such a move would not carry enough weight,” he added.
On Wednesday, Rangsiman Rome, list-MP and deputy leader of the opposition People’s Party, commented on Mr Anutin’s statement on a House dissolution, which was widely interpreted as designed to pre-empt a censure. He said while such a move is legally permissible, public perception would be another matter.
On Tuesday, Chaturon Chaisang, a Pheu Thai Party list-MP, posted on social media urging the premier not to dissolve the House to avoid a no-confidence debate, stressing the opposition’s role is to scrutinise the government — not to seek revenge.
“Committees from various parties are now working to finalise the amendment process as quickly as possible so time remains for a no-confidence debate before dissolution,” Mr Chaturon said, adding parties agree on the need to convene a special parliamentary session to expedite the change — a move that can be initiated with the support of a third of all MPs and senators.