All seven cabinet ministers of the Bhumjaithai Party won't cast votes on a controversial proposal by the Interior Ministry and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to extend the Green Line concession, the party's leader said on Thursday, reaffirming its protest against the plan.
"In order to proceed with this mission [of deciding on the proposal] a vote is required. But those who think [voting in favour] is still wrong can reserve their right not to cast their vote, can't they?" said Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, speaking in his capacity as the party leader.
His comments followed a decision by the seven cabinet ministers to excuse themselves from the weekly cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
The party encouraged them to do this because it did not want the meeting marred by heated debate over the proposal, especially as the party had already issued a written statement explaining its opposition, said Mr Anutin.
That being said, it is just a difference of opinion and does not indicate that Bhumjaithai is at odds with the coalition government, he noted.
Asked if the seven ministers would attend next week's meeting, Mr Anutin said the party has already clarified its intention of keeping the boycott in place.
If Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha deems it necessary to proceed with the Green Line proposal, he can issue an order to that effect, Mr Anutin said.
However the seven Bhumjaithai ministers will vote "no" to the proposal if the changes requested by the party keep being ignored, he added.
Given there are 36 ministers in total, the party is well aware its seven votes would likely end up being drowned out when a vote is held, he said.
As such, Mr Anutin said the party felt it was important for the seven ministers to reserve their right not to cast their votes on a proposal they do not agree with.
He said that if the proposal goes ahead and results in a criminal case, the other members of the cabinet would be held accountable.
"But if the proposal is amended so there's nothing left to worry about later … we will instead speed up the transfer and get it done as soon as possible," Mr Anutin said, referring to the ownership transfer of Green Line assets from the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand to the BMA.
Bhumjaithai strongly opposes such a transfer under the current plan. The party's secretary-general, Saksayam Chidchob, serves as transport minister.
