MP from Pheu Thai Party secures position as deputy speaker
In a significant development in Thai politics, Pheu Thai Party MP Chaiya Promma has been elected as the first deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. The election took place during a meeting presided over by Deputy House Speaker Chalard Khamchuang.
The roll call, held to determine the number of MPs present, confirmed the presence of 248 MPs, two more than the minimum requirement. However, the opposition MPs were conspicuously absent during the quorum check, a notable occurrence given the ongoing election process.
The event marked a small win in the ongoing fight against political graft. The opposition's absence during the quorum check could be interpreted as a willingness to follow proper procedures, suggesting a move towards transparency and accountability.
Chaiya Promma, an MP for Nong Bua Lam Phu and a former deputy agriculture minister, was nominated for the position without any opponent. His election comes as no surprise given his extensive political experience.
The chamber was thrown into chaos before the vote due to a proposal by Koravee Prisananantakul, a Bhumjaithai MP, to discuss assistance measures for people displaced by the Thai-Cambodian border clashes. This proposal, however, was not the focus of the day's proceedings, which centred around the election for the position of first deputy Speaker.
It is important to note that the position of first deputy Speaker became vacant following the ruling of the Constitutional Court. Pichet Chuamuangphan, the previous first deputy Speaker, was thrown out of parliament for misusing state funds. Specifically, the court ruled that Pichet approved three budget projects from the House Secretariat under the 2026 fiscal year with the intent to use them for his political benefit, constituting a conflict of interest. As a result, Pichet was disqualified as an MP, removed from his deputy speaker role, and banned from running for office for 10 years.
This decision has drawn significant political attention, highlighting constitutional rules against lawmakers’ misuse of state funds and potentially prompting further scrutiny of budget processes. The case has also triggered the need for a by-election in Pichet's Chiang Rai constituency within 45 days.
The roll call and subsequent election of Chaiya Promma as the first deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives serve as a reminder of the importance of adhering to the rule of law and maintaining transparency in Thai politics.
The roll call and subsequent election, held amidst ongoing election processes, highlight a potential shift towards adhering to proper procedures within the realm of Thai politics, as opposition MPs were conspicuously absent during the quorum check. This situation, when considered alongside the recent Constitutional Court ruling that led to the removal of a former deputy speaker, Pichet Chuamuangphan, due to misuse of state funds, reiterates the significance of policy-and-legislation, including regulations on funding, in guiding politics and general-news.
