Censure debate begins in Thailand
Censure debate begins in Thailand
BANGKOK (AP): A no-confidence debate against three key ministers in the government of Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai got off to a lackluster start on Wednesday, with no apparent points scored by the opposition.
"A great depression is coming," warned former Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh as he opened the opposition's onslaught. "The stability of the nation and the income of the people have dramatically declined."
In an inauspicious start to the proceedings, a power failure struck parts of central Bangkok just seconds after Chavalit began talking, keeping many television viewers from watching him.
Targeted for censure are Finance Minister Tarrin Nimmanahaeminda, Interior Minister Sanan Kachornprasart and Transport and Communications Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, all members of Prime Minister Chuan's Democrat Party.
They have been accused of corruption, abuse of power and malfeasance in handling the economic crisis.
Most analysts expect that after the scheduled two days of debate, the three ministers will easily survive no confidence votes expected to be cast on Friday.
The seven-party coalition government commands a 255-132 seat majority in the House of Representatives, where the debate is taking place.
Chavalit began with a caustic attack on Tarrin, accusing the finance minister of selling the country to the International Monetary Fund, which is loaning Thailand $17.2 billion in exchange for economic, financial and legal reforms.
In a spirited defense, Tarrin said Chavalit must share the blame for the country's economic woes.
Thailand's economic crisis erupted in July 1997 while Chavalit was prime minister. It rapidly rolled across the region and beyond.
In August of that year, Chavalit's government asked the IMF to intervene. His government collapsed in November 1997, with Chuan taking over the reins.
The IMF aid package has been widely criticized for attaching harsh conditions that probably hindered economic recovery.
Other opposition speakers concentrated their fire on Interior Minister Sanan, repeating well-publicized charges about land scandals and alleging unconstitutional actions and abuse of power.
"I don't see how you have the nerve to remain in your position. You don't deserve to be there. Get out!," said Adisorn Piangket of Chavalit's New Aspiration Party.
House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha stepped in at one point to warn an opposition speaker against using personal invective, after he called Sanan a "crater-face," in reference to his pockmarked complexion.
The debate was preceded by a month-long campaign of bomb blasts, scares and hoaxes. Two weeks ago a small bomb exploded near the headquarters of Chuan's Democrat Party.
Some Democrats have accused military men close to Chavalit of orchestrating the wave of explosions to create an atmosphere of fear and instability. The opposition denies it.