PM says he's not dodging censure

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has dismissed accusations that his government is avoiding a no-confidence debate, insisting he is ready to face parliament in December and the coalition remains stable.

Speaking on the programme Talk with Anutin's Cabinet on Saturday, Mr Anutin said he had instructed all cabinet ministers not to travel during the proposed debate week so they would be available to answer questions in parliament.

However, when the government and opposition failed to agree on the schedule, the administration was accused of running away from parliament. "We never ran away," he said.

The debate has been set for Dec 7-11, with the vote on the final day, following disagreement over whether the session should have been held last week.

Mr Anutin, who is on an official visit to Bhutan from Friday until Sunday at the invitation of Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay, defended his overseas trips as necessary missions involving meetings with foreign leaders and investors.

Direct engagement by the prime minister carried more weight than delegating such meetings, he said, adding the government had to balance parliamentary politics with national interests, including investment, exports and international confidence.

"Whether people like the government or not, the country must come first. Politics is not even my second priority. It comes much further down the list," he said.

Asked whether the opposition might target ministers from certain coalition parties to undermine government relations, Mr Anutin said it was free to choose its targets. He insisted the coalition was stable and said grilling him alone would effectively cover the accountability of the entire cabinet.

House Speaker Sophon Zarum on Saturday rejected claims the debate had been delayed by up to 60 days after the motion was submitted, saying the facts did not support them.

Mr Sophon said the government had been ready from the outset for four days of debate and one day of voting, and had been prepared to proceed as early as Oct 27-29.

However, he said the opposition told negotiators it was not ready and requested a postponement until November or December within the current parliamentary session.