Supachai refutes confusion between the authority of the commission and the personal authority of the chairman, stressing that oversight must comply with the law.
On 3 Nov 2026, Supachai Jaichumrat, a party-list MP of Bhumjaithai Party and deputy chairman of the Law, Justice and Human Rights Commission, addressed dissatisfaction expressed by three commission chairmen from the People's Party, especially Pakamon Noon-Anan or “Lisa,” who harshly criticized the Speaker of the House after he set operational guidelines for all 35 commissions. Supachai said there is a legal issue to clarify: the authority to summon documents or individuals belongs to the commission as a collective body, not as the chairman's personal authority.
First, the commission's authority belongs to the body as a whole, not to the chairman personally. Article 129, paragraph four of the Constitution grants commissions the power to summon documents or individuals to clarify facts or express opinions. It does not grant this power to the chairman as a personal authority to be used at will. Being chairman does not mean one can exercise the commission's collective power without proper criteria and process.
Second, the Speaker of the House has a constitutional duty to prevent overlapping work among commissions. Article 129, paragraph two of the Constitution clearly states that commission work must remain within the House's and commissions' duties and powers and must not be redundant. If an issue concerns multiple commissions, the Constitution assigns the Speaker the role of coordinating the involved commissions to work together.
Therefore, when the Speaker sets guidelines for commissions to operate within constitutional frameworks, the basis and content of those guidelines must be considered. They should not be immediately accused of obstructing oversight.
Third, oversight of the executive is an important legislative duty, but no one has unlimited authority to conduct oversight. Supachai expressed strong agreement that commissions must effectively oversee state power use, whether by government or any agency. However, oversight must follow the law, respect the rights of summoned individuals, and not exceed constitutional limits. At the same time, the Speaker's guidelines must not be misused to block lawful commission oversight.
Lastly, criticism of the Speaker is permissible, but accusations must be supported by facts. Accusing the Speaker of serving individuals or political parties is a serious charge that requires evidence and reasoning beyond mere dissatisfaction with operational guidelines. If such guidelines violate the Constitution or House rules, it should be clearly stated which provisions are breached and how, to facilitate legal debate.
Supachai reaffirmed that commissions must be independent in oversight, but independence does not mean having authority above the Constitution. The chairman leads meetings and drives commission work but cannot appropriate the collective commission's power as personal authority. The Speaker must maintain order and rules of the House within their authority.
"True democracy is not about whose voice is louder or who wields more power, but about all parties abiding by the same Constitution and laws," he said.
Supachai concluded that there are 35 standing commissions, and none have been troubled by these matters because they respect rules and the Constitution, not using commissions they chair as political tools.