BANGKOK, Feb 28 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Thailand Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-o-cha has seen off a bid to remove his government, winning a no-confidence vote by 272 to 49.
The other five cabinet members – Deputy Prime Ministers Prawit Wongsuwan and Wissanu Krea-ngam, Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda, Foreign Affairs Minister Don Pramudwinai and Deputy Agriculture Minister Thammanat Prompao also survived a no-confidence vote in parliament after a four-day censure debate.
For a censure motion, a resolution needs a majority of 245 votes.
Prayuth, the 2014 coup leader who transformed into an elected prime minister after last year’s general election, is accused of abuse of power, corruption, and economic mismanagement. He denied all the allegations during the debate.
The result comes as no surprise. However, it has created an uproar among opposition supporters after the opposition party Pheu Thai did not participate in the voting process today following a walk-out yesterday.
Meanwhile, Prayuth promised he would continue to serve the people. He said his priority will be to resolve issues – chiefly economic challenges and prolonged drought that has hit the kingdom.
“I’m relieved… Now, we need to resume our work including disbursement of the budget. I assure all projects will benefit the people,” he told reporters today.
When asked whether there could be a cabinet reshuffle following the vote of no-confidence, Prayuth said that it was not time yet
The voting today came a week after the opposition Future Forward Party (FFP) was dissolved.
Last Friday, Thailand’s Constitutional Court ruled to dissolve FFP and banned its 16 executive committee members from political activities for 10 years over an election loan from party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit.
Following the verdict last Friday, 11 Members of Parliament (MPs) lost their seats.
