Opposition Calls Midnight Quorum Check to Block Government's Budget Plan
The Thai opposition called a midnight quorum check on Sept 9, 2026, to counter the ruling coalition's plan to rush the EC budget debate.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- The House debated the fiscal year 2027 budget bill on Sept 9, 2026
- The opposition requested a quorum check at 23:30 to disrupt proceedings
- The government allegedly planned to rush the Election Commission budget debate
The House of Representatives meeting regarding the second reading of the fiscal year 2027 budget bill on September 9, 2026, faced high tension when the opposition parties decided to suddenly request a quorum check in the middle of the night to stall a perceived rushed debate.
The incident occurred at 23:30, with Lertsak Patthanachaikul, the second deputy house speaker, chairing the session. Reports indicated that coalition MPs, led by the Bhumjaithai Party, had coordinated to keep lawmakers present until Article 32 was fully deliberated.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Article 32 concerns the budget allocations for independent organizations and the Office of the Attorney General. It drew intense scrutiny because discussions were expected to touch heavily upon the budget of the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT).
Requesting a quorum check is a common parliamentary tactic used by the opposition to pressure the ruling administration or express discontent over expedited legislative processes. This midnight maneuver highlights intense legislative maneuvering and efforts to secure adequate debate time on crucial topics.
Sources from the opposition coalition revealed that the ruling parties intended to prolong the session to ensure Article 32 was wrapped up overnight, potentially stretching from 03:00 to 05:00 hours, thereby avoiding heavy scrutiny regarding the Election Commission during peak public attention hours.
Source: Khaosod Politics
Found something wrong in this article? Report an issue with this article
Comments
Leave a Comment