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Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday reminded the opposition to not be politically improper after they threatened to drag his mother and wife into the censure debate, which is tentatively scheduled for next month.
"I am at a loss why the opposition would want to grill my mother, who is a retired civil servant, and my wife, who is a university lecturer," the prime minister said, adding that he would wait to review details of the censure motion before he makes any more comments.
Abhisit said that though he understood it was the opposition's duty to check on his performance, he was quite surprised that his family was also being targeted and that he would be questioned about a car he sold. Still, he said, there was no point in speculating about the reasons behind all this just yet.
Coalition chief whip Chinnaworn Boonyakiart said he would wait and see whether the Pheu Thai Party could meet the grilling standards set by the Democrats when they were in the opposition bench.
"I welcome the checks by the opposition and hope to see Pheu Thai MPs do their job in a professional manner," he said.
The opposition party met up on Tuesday to make preparations for the debate. MP Chalerm Yoobamrung, who has been designated to lead the censure grilling, chaired the meeting.
Pheu Thai MP Somkid Banthaisong said some 40 lawmakers from the opposition were getting ready for the censure debate, which will likely target nine Cabinet members, including the prime minister.
The main opposition party has formed three panels to assist Chalerm in the preparations.
The first panel, the key members of which include Chaowarin Latthasaksiri, Prakiart Nasimma and Amnuay Klangpha, will be in charge of drafting an impeachment motion against Abhisit.
The second panel, led by Jumpot Boonyai, Paijit Srivorakhan and Wichan Meenchainan, will draft the no-confidence motion.
The third, which includes Jatuporn Phrompan, Suchart Lainamngern and Pongpan Sunthornchai, will work as an advisory board to strategise the censure debate.
The opposition has urged the public to assist in collecting evidence and providing tip-offs about misconduct and lapse of duty involving the Cabinet members.
Somkid said the opposition currently has five definite targets for censure and would name another four, adding that the issues for censure would be revealed in due time.
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