Censure debate against Justice Minister Pracha starts Sunday

BANGKOK, Nov 27 A censure debate against Justice Minister and the Director of the Flood Relief Operation Centre (FROC) Pracha Promnok started Sunday with the vote on this no-confidence motion set for Monday.

Sundays no-confidence motion debate was filed against Mr Pracha for allegedly mismanaging the flood crisis and alleged corruption in flood relief package procurement. Democrat Party MP Jurin Laksanavisit was scheduled as the first person to grill him.

Before the debate commenced, Opposition chief whip Jurin said he believed Pol Gen Pracha would survive the no-confidence vote with support from the majority of the government.

He does not hope for any political change but it is the duty of the opposition to scrutinize the government and the public can learn information from the opposition during the debate for their own judgment.

Somsak Kiartsuranond, the House Speaker, said he believed the censure debate will not be prolonged and is likely to end by Sunday as the opposition Democrat Party has reportedly prepared 10 MPs for the debate. A vote on the motion of no confidence could be done by Monday as scheduled.

As Pol Gen Pracha said Sunday morning that he was ready to clarify all allegations, red shirt leader Kwanchai Praipana led a group of supporters to give Mr Prachas moral support.

Mr Kwanchai said Pol Gen Pracha did his best and his supporters wanted to give him and the government moral support to continue fighting the natural disaster and helping flood victims.

If distorted information was used during the debate, Mr Kwanchai said he will lead people from the provinces to protest in the capital.

In addition to the group led by Mr Kwanchai, about 1,000 people also gathered outside Parliament to show their support for the Prime Minister and Pol Gen Pracha.

About 800 supporters are from! the nor thern teacher federation and about 200 others comprised a women's club in Udon Thani and village heads from the Northeast. (MCOT online news)