The opposition expressed anger as ministers skipped live question sessions despite prior coordination, mocking it as a fallout from the Prime Minister's comment about 'lack of merit.' Meanwhile, opposition MP Parit proposed confiscating the government's live question quota, leading to a debate, with the Speaker advising both sides' whips to negotiate.
At 11:00 a.m. on 24 September 2026, the House of Representatives convened with House Speaker Sophon Saram presiding. Three live questions were scheduled, but for two key opposition questions, the relevant ministers requested postponements citing scheduling conflicts and could not attend to provide explanations.
1. The live question by Korn Chatikavanij, party-list MP of the Democrat Party, addressed to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Aekniti Nitithanprapas, inquiring about the investigation into former Deputy Finance Minister Woraphak Thanyawong, who is reportedly under US investigation for links to an international scammer criminal network.
2. The live question from Jorayut Jaturapornprasit, Bangkok MP of the Prachachon Party, directed to the Prime Minister regarding gun control measures. The Prime Minister assigned Minister Worasit Liangprasith, Deputy Minister of the Interior, to respond instead, but Worasit cited important duties and requested to postpone answering.
This led to opposition dissatisfaction as no ministers appeared to answer either live question. Pakornwut Udompipatnaskul, party-list MP of the Prachachon Party, criticized the government's whip for requesting prior coordination on which ministers would attend, saying that even with advance notice, ministers often fail to appear. For example, out of seven separate live questions, five were postponed and only two answered. The Speaker promised to make question sessions sacred, but despite prior knowledge, ministers still did not appear. This is the fallout the Prime Minister referred to when he said the opposition's questions lacked merit and ministers refused to attend.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Sophon Saram, presiding over the session, explained that although ministers are urged to answer questions, the Speaker has no authority to force any party to attend. This has always been the case. He asked the opposition and government whips to negotiate this issue. In response, opposition MP Parit Watcharasindhu, chairman of the opposition coalition whip committee, proposed a solution to compensate for ministers' absence by reallocating the government's live question quota to the opposition for that week.
However, government whip Khravi Prisananantakul, Ang Thong MP of the Bhumjaithai Party, rejected the proposal, emphasizing that the government also needs live question time to raise public concerns and is not exclusive to the opposition. Speaker Sophon added that strict enforcement of parliamentary rules would make sessions very difficult to conduct. Therefore, the two whips should reach an agreement, as consultation is fundamental to democracy, rather than disputing who is right or wrong. The Speaker can moderate the meeting according to customary practice but must stop proceedings if necessary. He urged both whips to discuss the matter before continuing the session.