Censure Debate Against Flood Relief Operations Command’s Chief Starts

BANGKOK, November 27 (TNA) - The one-day censure debate lodged by the major opposition Democrat Party against Justice Minister Pol. Gen. Pracha Promnog in his capacity of the chief of the Flood Relief Operations Command (FROC) began early Sunday. The Democrats have charged in the no-confidence motion that retired national police chief Pol. Gen. Pracha has violated the constitution and accused him of an alleged corruption scam related to the production of flood relief bags given to flood victims had benefited certain groups of people. They charged that the mismanagement of the ongoing flood problem has caused hardships to people and brought a sharp divisiveness among the flood victims. Vote of no-confidence will be held Monday, the last day of the House of Representatives meeting. Jurin Laksanawisit, head of the opposition whip, said before the meeting began that the censure debate would end before midnight so that votes of no-confidence could be cast tomorrow. The opposition would refrain from attacking fugitive and ousted ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra during the censure motion, he said. The Democrats may have to mention Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, younger sister of Thaksin, during the debate as she is a public figure and head of the government. Meanwhile, Kwanchai Praiphana, a leading member of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), led the group members to give a morale support to Pol. Gen. Pracha in front of the Parliament building. Kwanchai said UDD, an activist group which is a major supporter of the current government, believed that Pol. Gen. Pracha was innocent and UDD members would hold a major rally in Bangkok if the opposition attacks the prime minister during the debate. Simultaneously, more than 1,000 people from several north and northeastern groups gathered in front of the building and delivered speeches offering morale support to both Yingluck and Pol. Gen. Pracha. (TNA)