Bangkok: The opposition has been allotted 14 and a half hours to debate the government's policies during the upcoming parliamentary session.
According to Thai News Agency, the whips of the three main parties have finalized the time allocation for the debate on the government's policy statement, scheduled for April 9-10, totaling 32 hours and 30 minutes. The opposition will have 14.5 hours, while the Cabinet will have 6 hours to respond.
Mr. Koravee Prisnanantakul, an MP from the Bhumjaithai Party representing Ang Thong, disclosed the details following a meeting of the Joint Coordinating Committee of the House of Representatives. The meeting, chaired by Mr. Sophon Saram, Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of the Parliament, focused on guidelines for conducting joint parliamentary sessions to address urgent matters, including the Cabinet's policy statement to Parliament as per Article 162.
The meeting concluded that the joint parliamentary session would take place on April 9-10, 2026. On April 9, the session will run from 8:30 AM to 2:00 AM, and on April 10, from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM. The time will be distributed as follows: 1 hour for the presiding officer, 1 hour and 30 minutes for the Prime Minister's policy statement, 6 hours for the Cabinet, 4 hours for the Senate, 5 hours and 30 minutes for government MPs, and 14 hours and 30 minutes for the opposition parties. The meeting participants agreed that the opposition should have sufficient time for oversight.
Both the opposition and the ruling coalition stress the importance of allowing the Prime Minister and the Cabinet adequate time to address questions and clarify the policies of each ministry. This is intended to ensure that the public comprehends the forthcoming policies, benefiting both sides in their respective roles.
Notably, it has been observed that the time allocated for debates has often been exceeded in the past. This time, however, any extension beyond the allotted time will be unacceptable. Each side must manage their allocated time to avoid overstepping and to ensure maximum efficiency. Mr. Sophon emphasized the importance of adhering to the allocated time and focusing on the substance of the debate. It is anticipated that all parties will aim for efficient performance in their respective roles.