BANGKOK, Feb 28 (TNA) — The House of Representatives today voted against the no-confidence motion on the prime minister and five other ministers as expected.
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon received the highest confidence vote and Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thamanat Prompow got the least favourable vote.
Members of the parliament cast their votes after the no-confidence debate had last four days and three nights.
Prime Minister/Defence Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha received 272 confidence votes against 49 no-confidence votes. Two abstained.
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon had 277 confidence votes against 50 no-confidence votes with two abstentions.
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam and Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda each received 272 confidence votes against 54 censure votes with two abstentions.
Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai survived with 272 confidence votes against 55 censure votes and two abstentions.
Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thamanat Prompow received confidence with 269 votes while the vote of censure stood at 55. Seven MPs abstained.
For a censure motion, a resolution needs the majority of existing MPs, The majority is 245 votes.
Opposition MPs attended the House session today although their key members announced to boycott the voting session. Yesterday they walked out of the meeting chamber because the coalition rejected their request for debate extension as four opposition members had not had their debate. Consequently Interior Minister Gen Anupong had not faced a direct debate on him. The House unanimously cast 251 votes for the debate conclusion without an extension.
The censure motion was its first in six years and the first one for the 29th prime minister who is now subject to checks and balance from the elected House. (TNA)
