(Bangkok, 14th) — Nataphon, leader of Thailand’s second largest party, the People’s Party, has been officially appointed as the leader of the parliamentary opposition, becoming a key figure in overseeing the Anutin administration.
According to The Nation, Nataphon was appointed as the 12th leader of the House of Representatives’ opposition in a royal investiture held at the Parliament building at 9 a.m. on Thursday (May 14th), with immediate effect.
During the ceremony, the parliament’s secretary-general read out the royal decree, in which King Vajiralongkorn approved Nataphon’s appointment as opposition leader, and the Royal Gazette officially promulgated the appointment on the same day.
Nataphon, 39, delivered a speech after the ceremony, stating that as opposition leader, he would focus on the interests of the people and conscientiously fulfill the duties of overseeing the government, offering suggestions, and providing checks and balances on executive power to ensure parliament truly exercises its democratic oversight function.
He emphasized that he would participate in the committee for selecting independent agencies in the future to ensure these agencies remain free from interference by any individual or political force, and that he will expedite the establishment of an opposition party whip mechanism to enhance parliamentary checks and balances.
Nataphon pointed out that constitutional reform is a key agenda for the opposition, urging parliament to accelerate the drafting of a new constitution in accordance with the public opinion reflected in the February 8th nationwide referendum this year.
Regarding public concerns over the content of constitutional reform, including the composition of the constitution-drafting committee and the controversy over whether chapters 1 and 2 of the constitution should be subject to amendment, he said these issues still require further negotiation among all parties, and details will be announced at an appropriate time.
The People’s Party is the main party driving constitutional reform. During Thailand’s nationwide elections in February this year, a constitutional reform referendum was also held, and nearly 60% of voters supported the drafting of a new constitution.
During the ceremony, the parliament’s secretary-general read out the royal decree, in which King Vajiralongkorn approved Nataphon’s appointment as opposition leader, and the Royal Gazette officially promulgated the appointment on the same day.
Nataphon, 39, delivered a speech after the ceremony, stating that as opposition leader, he would focus on the interests of the people and conscientiously fulfill the duties of overseeing the government, offering suggestions, and providing checks and balances on executive power to ensure parliament truly exercises its democratic oversight function.
He emphasized that he would participate in the committee for selecting independent agencies in the future to ensure these agencies remain free from interference by any individual or political force, and that he will expedite the establishment of an opposition party whip mechanism to enhance parliamentary checks and balances.
Nataphon pointed out that constitutional reform is a key agenda for the opposition, urging parliament to accelerate the drafting of a new constitution in accordance with the public opinion reflected in the February 8th nationwide referendum this year.
Regarding public concerns over the content of constitutional reform, including the composition of the constitution-drafting committee and the controversy over whether chapters 1 and 2 of the constitution should be subject to amendment, he said these issues still require further negotiation among all parties, and details will be announced at an appropriate time.
The People’s Party is the main party driving constitutional reform. During Thailand’s nationwide elections in February this year, a constitutional reform referendum was also held, and nearly 60% of voters supported the drafting of a new constitution.