Despite the Prayut Chan-o-cha government pointing its finger at the opposition bloc for the collapse of a House session last week, it only has itself to blame for such shenanigans.
The lack of a quorum that prompted Deputy House Speaker Suchart Tancharoen to adjourn the Nov 3 session stemmed largely from a power play within the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP).
This arose after PPRP MP and government chief whip Wirach Ratanasate was suspended from parliamentary duties over his alleged role in a corruption scandal related to a futsal court project in Nakhon Ratchasima.
Gen Prayut named Nirote Sunthornlekha, the party's MP for Nakhon Sawan, to replace the veteran politician. The prime minister then scolded the opposition for being "unpatriotic" and accused it of hurting the country for political gain. This is a case of the pot calling the kettle black.
This unfortunate incident was in reality a power test for the newly appointed chief whip, as the outgoing Mr Wirach, with the support of those MPs under his control, flexed his muscles in a bid to convince all and sundry that his absence would lead to chaos.
Observers saw this political drama as an unfriendly welcome for the new chief whip from MPs under Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon. Gen Prawit is currently at odds with the prime minister after Gen Prayut dismissed his close aide, PPRP secretary-general Thamanat Prompow, from the cabinet in a lightning move on Sept 8. Since then, the so-called brothers in arms have been unable to see eye to eye.
But in affecting parliamentary affairs in this way, the PPRP's power game has gone too far. As a consequence, the Witness Protection Bill, which was scheduled to be deliberated that day, has been put on hold. Two more important bills -- the revised Health Control Act, which is set to replace the emergency decree, and a revised draft of the outdated 2012 anti-doping law -- have also been frozen.
The government seems reluctant to put forward the revised draft of the health control bill as it isn't confident it would be passed, which could cause political chaos.
At the same time, Thailand has been penalised, along with North Korea and Indonesia, by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) for its failure to fully implement the 2021 anti-doping code. This could come at a high cost as Wada has threatened to withhold the right to host regional, continental or world championships unless the issue is addressed.
Thailand has been forced to cancel two regional sporting events due to take place this month because of the delay, which will disadvantage Thai athletes if it isn't resolved.
Such political turbulence in the ruling party has distracted the government from a swathe of crises, such as managing the pandemic, dealing with floods, nose-diving paddy prices and economic hardship. It has also hamstrung the party's ability to perform, stripping the coalition of political stability.
While all of the MPs must be held responsible for the collapse of the Nov 3 session, Prime Minister Prayut cannot shift the blame but must do a better job of exercising control.
