Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's government suffered a shock defeat in its bid to prevent formation of a panel to study Section 44.
The defeat was the result of six Democrat Party MPs voting to support the opposition motion, proposed by the Future Forward Party secretary-general, to set up a panel to study the impact of orders issued under Section 44. The legislation gave Gen Prayut special executive powers as leader of the post-coup National Council for Peace and Order regime.
On Wednesday, the opposition won by four votes -- 234-230 -- with two abstentions and one absence.
Gen Prayut said that defeat in a parliamentary vote was normal, adding that several MPs from coalition parties were too busy to attend the meeting.
"I am still confident about [coalition] stability. When you join a government, you must be serious and work with the government to do the right things, rather than merely engage in political battles," Gen Prayut said.
