Krawi expressed disappointment after the opposition walked out of the tripartite whip meeting, rejecting the proposed 5-day no-confidence debate schedule. He questioned whether the opposition is ready to perform its duties, emphasizing that no more time will be granted.
At 15:50 on 22 Oct 2026 at the parliament, Krawi Prissanananthakul, MP for Ang Thong from the Bhumjaithai Party and chair of the government coalition whip committee, spoke after the tripartite whip meeting to set the no-confidence debate dates. He said he was disappointed by the cooperation between the opposition and government, as both sides should find a middle ground to proceed. However, before discussions concluded, the opposition walked out because their demand for a full 5-day debate was not met. The cabinet responded to the parliament that ministers could attend from 27–29 Oct, which the opposition said was insufficient. The deputy speaker, Mallika Jirapvanich, chairing the session, instructed Minister Pradorn Prissanananthakul, Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, to consult the cabinet again. The cabinet agreed to add one more day, making 4 days plus the voting day for a total of 5 days. Thus, the debate was scheduled for 26–29 Oct, with voting on 30 Oct, effectively extending the opposition’s time.
The government coalition whip chair rejected proposals to postpone the no-confidence debate to November.
"Yesterday, the opposition claimed the government was tight-lipped and narrow-minded in not granting adequate time. A small compromise from both sides could have resolved this. I thank the cabinet for extending the debate by one day, but the opposition demands that if it is four days, they will not debate next week and want to postpone to November. The government and cabinet have reviewed schedules but cannot find a continuous 4–5 day period as 18 ministers will be debated, and expecting all to be present for 5 full days is difficult. So, no suitable time is available. If we meet in the middle and prioritize parliament’s benefit, we should proceed as the proposal is reasonable. To summarize: debating from Monday, 26 Oct to Thursday, 29 Oct, with voting on Friday, 30 Oct, totals 63 hours and 30 minutes. The opposition will have 45–48 hours, and ministers will use the remaining time. I am disappointed and affirm we are not blocking, delaying, or suppressing the opposition as they claim," Krawi said.
He questioned the opposition’s readiness to perform their duties and reiterated that no additional time will be granted.
When asked if the debate would be canceled if not held next week, Krawi said the opposition submitted the no-confidence motion. So if he had submitted it, he would be ready to debate now. Given the current timeframe and conditions, he asked whether the opposition is ready to debate. The government tried to find time in November, but December is impossible due to royal ceremonies and heavy commitments for the prime minister and ministers. Several cabinet discussions failed to find a continuous 4–5 day slot. Asked if the opposition explained why next week was unsuitable, Krawi said they expected 5 days and 60 hours, based on the previous government under Gen. Prayut. Since 18 ministers are debated this time, they felt they deserved 60 hours. Krawi countered that if all 35 ministers were debated, it would require 10 days, which is unreasonable. Talks have been ongoing since September, and he believes the opposition is prepared but declined to speculate why they won’t debate next week. Regarding a potential third tripartite whip meeting, Krawi said the government has already conceded as much as possible and cannot provide more time. If the opposition insists on 5 days with voting on Saturday 31 Oct, the prime minister has foreign obligations. Any further negotiations must come from the opposition. He reaffirmed that if other schedules or time frames are chosen, the government has done its best.
He defended Minister Pradorn as the government representative, not as a minister under scrutiny.
When asked about Rangsiman Rome, MP and deputy leader of the People’s Party, stating that Minister Pradorn Prissanananthakul’s role as government representative was inappropriate due to his being a minister facing the no-confidence debate, Krawi responded that if 35 ministers are debated, no cabinet representative should attend. He explained that Pradorn was appointed by the cabinet as their representative from the start of the parliamentary session, not just during this debate. Thus, raising this issue is unreasonable. Pradorn attends as a minister, not as a subject of scrutiny, performing normal duties as the government’s representative.