Parliament nearly collapsed as the opposition proposed multiple quorum counts around midnight following rumors that the government planned to expedite the Election Commission's budget approval to finish by dawn. This was intended to prevent the opposition from attacking the Senate vote-rigging scandal while public interest was high, before protests broke out with members exchanging heated words.
A reporter described the atmosphere at 23:30 on 9 Sep 2026 during the House of Representatives meeting to consider the 2027 fiscal year budget bill, second reading. The session was chaired by Mr. Lertsak Patanchayakul, the second Deputy Speaker of the House, and had been ongoing for three consecutive days. Members of Parliament (MPs) continued to sign up for debate on each clause, and the chair had not closed the list of speakers.
It was reported that coalition MPs, led by the Bhumjaithai Party, held discussions and scheduled MPs to prepare for continuous attendance until clause 32, concerning budgets for independent organizations, including the Election Commission Office (EC), which attracted attention due to potential debates involving the EC's budget.
. A source from the opposition coalition said the government coalition intended to prolong the debate on clause 32 so it would conclude tonight, even if it extended to 03:00–05:00 on 10 Sep. This timing aimed to ensure that opposition debates on the EC and the Senate vote-rigging scandal would not occur during times of high public interest. If debates took place on the morning of 10 Sep, it was expected the public would follow the discussions more closely. This aligned with a moment when Ms. Mallika Jiraphanwanich, the first Deputy Speaker of the House, came down from the chair to consult with Bhumjaithai MPs near the lower seating area at about 23:30.
However, despite the chair requesting the joint party whips to discuss scheduling for 10–11 Sep, including plans to complete the 2027 budget bill on 10 Sep and reconvene on 11 Sep to consider urgent motions on the southern border situation followed by acknowledgments of the EC's 2024 operational report, no final decisions were made.
At 23:43, Mr. Nont Paisanlimjaroenkij, an MP from Nonthaburi representing the Prachachon Party, sought to resolve the situation by requesting a quorum count during the consideration of clause 25 concerning the Ministry of Public Health’s budget, prompting some coalition MPs to ask for members to return before proceeding with the quorum count.
Meanwhile, Mr. Pakornwut Udompipatsakul, a party-list MP from the Prachachon Party, stated that the opposition was ready to withdraw their motion for a quorum count if there was clarity on when the 2027 budget bill would be completed the next day. He expressed sympathy for staff and willingness to cooperate by withdrawing speaker nominations but noted the lack of clarity on the process.
During Mr. Pakornwut's discussion, coalition MPs occasionally interrupted, prompting him to urge for decorum. Subsequently, Mr. Prayut Siriphanich, a party-list MP from the Pheu Thai Party, remarked that although they were exhausted from days of debate, there was consensus that after midnight, the chair would adjourn and reconvene later, a practice from previous long sessions lasting up to seven days and nights. He suggested members seek a common solution. At 23:55, Mr. Lertsak closed speaker registration, confirming a quorum of 284 members present, allowing the session to continue. He urged members to deliberate together.
However, after further debate and at 00:28 on 10 Sep 2026, another quorum count was proposed. The opposition requested a roll-call vote, while the government suggested an electronic card count. Ms. Mallika, acting as chair, rang the bell for members to insert their cards for the quorum check.
Mr. Pakornwut said he disliked the tense atmosphere, which led to jeering until the chair admonished the members. Mr. Pakornwut then continued, stating the opposition had cooperated by withdrawing speaker nominations, but the government had added many speakers for the following day and intended to extend the session without breaks. He sought clarity on whether clause 26 would conclude at 00:30 that night, offering to withdraw his motion for a roll-call quorum count and suggesting further discussion the next day.
At 00:37, after the electronic quorum check showed 279 members present, the chair asked whether members preferred a roll-call vote by raising hands for yes or electronic card count for no. The result was one vote for roll-call, 274 against, and one abstention. The chair proceeded with another electronic quorum check, confirming 275 members present, more than half the total MPs, and thus a quorum was established to continue the session.
At 00:49, Mr. Pakornwut requested another quorum check. The chair asked rhetorically how this would end, prompting a government MP to interject sarcastically. Then, Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, a party-list MP and leader of the Democrat Party, stated that the chaos benefited no one. He said the root cause was a desire to avoid debate on the EC, urging honesty and rejecting deception. He suggested concluding the session between 20:00 and 21:00 on 10 Sep; otherwise, the disruptive atmosphere would persist due to quorum privilege.
Mr. Boonjong Wongtrairat, an MP from Nakhon Ratchasima representing Bhumjaithai, said while members had the right to call quorum counts, budget debates were important and should not become a game. He denied allegations that the government was delaying or protecting the EC, urging parliament to proceed without childish quorum calls. Mr. Abhisit then invoked parliamentary privilege to respond, saying if there was no fear of the current atmosphere, the second reading of the budget would not be delayed. He emphasized everyone had the right to debate without time limits but stressed the need to agree on rules. He challenged Mr. Boonjong's accusations, saying cowardice was shameful, prompting applause.
Mr. Karavee Prisanantakul, an MP from Ang Thong representing Bhumjaithai and government whip chairman, expressed patience and believed Mr. Pakornwut and the opposition would attest that in coordination with them, he had compromised and endured criticism for withdrawing speaker nominations. He stated that only his side was accused of deliberately delaying the process. He believed all agreed the 2027 budget bill was important as it concerned the entire Thai people and desired normal proceedings. He apologized for being unable to control time and said since the Ministry of Interior budget, there had been no intentional delay but rather issues requiring debate.
He added concerning the moment when Mr. Pakornwut said there was no need to request fewer speakers. "I confirm the government is not delaying. Tonight, we have a duty to consider and pass this law—not for me, the Prime Minister, or the Cabinet, but for Thailand. We will endure if the session goes late. We must complete this task. Let it proceed naturally and systematically. If it extends until morning, so be it, to fulfill parliament’s mission."
Mr. Pakornwut invoked parliamentary privilege, saying in his 6–7 years as an MP, the latest he had stayed was 03:00, never until dawn. He urged agreement on a time frame for completion to allow officials and members to rest. He opposed endless debate into the morning, noting the public would lose interest. He called for negotiations. The chair requested discussions to conclude clause 25 or for members to withdraw their names, joking about those who refused being like 'magic children.' He later reminded both party whips to confer. No new quorum count was conducted. He ruled that since a quorum had been counted, debate should continue. Mr. Pakornwut withdrew his motion for a quorum count, and debate proceeded.