POLICY ADDRESS

POLICY ADDRESS

Thaksin: Not relevant

Govt tells opposition 'no Thaksin talk allowed'

The government has told the opposition not to refer to ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra during the debate on government policies today and tomorrow.

Tthe opposition is meanwhile demanding that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra demonstrate her knowledge and leadership.
Acting government chief whip and Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri said government whips met yesterday and called on the parliament president to strictly enforce parliamentary regulations, especially in the policy debates of MPs.
Mr Witthaya said that during the government policy statement session MPs were prohibited from raising points that were irrelevant to government policies, especially any about Thaksin.
Mr Witthaya also demanded opposition members keep to their debate times.
Opposition whips met yesterday to prepare for the debate. Opposition chief whip Jurin Laksanavisit said 60 opposition MPs wanted to debate but the 11 hours allocated to the opposition would only be enough for about 40 opposition members.He added that senators would have six hours for their debate on government policies and most senators viewed that as being too little.
Democrat Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said 16 Democrat MPs would spend 200 minutes debating economic policies, 10 would spend 120 minutes on political and security topics and 10 would debate social policies for 80 minutes.
He said his party expected to see Prime Minister Yingluck show her visions.
Democrat list MP Ong-art Klampaibul challenged Ms Yingluck to elaborate on government policies by herself to prove her leadership and dignity. He also urged her not to sidestep reporters' questions.
Two companies of 300 police will secure the parliament building when the government announces its policies today and tomorrow.
Pol Maj Gen Wichai Sangpraphai, commander of Bangkok Police Division 1, said the two companies would be positioned in front of the parliament building while a third company would stay within the compound.
"According to intelligence, there are no worries. Opponents are unlikely to rally. If they come, we won't let them confront government supporters. I don't think there'll be a problem. Police can handle it," he said.

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