Sophon Sarum, Speaker of the House of Representatives, pushed back on claims of delaying the no-confidence debate, affirming the government was ready from day one, but the opposition said they were not ready and requested a postponement. He warned that the no-confidence debate forum is not a place for exchanging insults.
On 31 Oct 2026, Sophon Sarum, Speaker of the House, gave an interview at the Lamplaimat Municipality Office in Lamplaimat District, Buriram Province, after a joint meeting with various sectors to follow up on the integrated drug problem-solving project called 'Unite Faith and Strength'.
Sophon addressed concerns about the scheduling of the no-confidence debate against the government of Anutin Charnvirakul, which some saw as delayed for 60 days since the motion was submitted. He insisted that the facts do not support these accusations.
Sophon revealed that the agreement was for a four-day plus one framework. The government was ready from the first agreed dates, October 27-29. However, the opposition stated they were not ready and requested to postpone to November or December within the current session. He was then assigned to negotiate and set the dates to December 7-10, maintaining the four-day framework as reported.
“To say that only one government delays and prolongs the debate is not true. The government was ready to respond since that month but was held up by other duties. I want people to understand this anew because spreading inaccurate information only confuses the public, which benefits no one. As a legislator, I speak honestly and straightforwardly without siding with anyone,” Sophon stated.
Additionally, Sophon discussed the agreement on the meeting schedule. Originally agreed to start at 9:00 a.m. and end at midnight, the involved parties extended the time to 72 hours (about 12 hours longer), which he views as deviating from the original agreement.
Sophon also shared thoughts on the political atmosphere, emphasizing that the executive and legislature are not adversaries. Oversight is normal in a democracy, but if society or parties view both sides as constant opponents, it will hinder the country’s progress.
“I want to see genuine cooperation—not superficial agreements but serious oversight. This forum should not be a place for exchanging insults, as I often say, because in the end, that benefits no one,” Sophon concluded.