Thai PM Prayuth survives another no-confidence vote

BANGKOK: Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan o-cha and 10 other cabinet ministers survived a vote of no-confidence in Parliament, Saturday.

Opposition parties began the four-day censure debate on Tuesday over various issues, including corruption and economic mismanagement.

Prayuth who is also Defence Minister received 256 votes in favour and 206 against with nine abstentions.

The opposition needed more than 239 of the 477 parliamentary votes to oust the prime minister.

The other 10 ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, Anutin Charnvirakul who is also Public Health Minister, and Jurin Laksanawisit (Commerce Minister) also survived by a comfortable margin.

This is the forth no-confidence test for Prayuth and his government since taking over office in 2019. It is also Prayuth's last major test before the general election which will be held within the next 11 months.

Meanwhile, Prayuth thanked the members of parliament for their support and the result would serve as a morale booster for him to work harder for the country and the people.

"The debate was useful, as it will help improve the government's performance in the future, as he promised to consider implementation of the Opposition's recommendations," he was quoted saying by Thai PBS.

Meanwhile, Prayuth denied speculation of a cabinet reshuffle following a vote of no confidence today.

Local media reported that the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) and Democrat Party were pressing the prime minister for a cabinet reshuffle.

-- BERNAMA