Thai media reported that on the evening of March 25th, around 22:25, the no-confidence motion debate initiated by the opposition officially concluded. After the debate, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her cabinet members took a group photo in the parliamentary hall and were interviewed by the media present.
Reporters described Paetongtarn as relaxed and in good spirits during the interview. When asked if she felt pressured by the intense debate that day, she joked with a smile, "Maybe it's because I'm good at joking, so it's all good." This humorous response eased the atmosphere after two days of tense debate.
Regarding the specifics of the day's debate, Paetongtarn admitted that there was some chaos at the scene, mainly concerning disputes over meeting rules, but the overall progress was still smooth. When reporters further inquired whether the fierce criticism of government policies by the opposition made her "feel stung," she wittily responded, "Sodium is a good thing, but too much of it is not good." This clever metaphor not only showed her composure but also hinted at her indifferent attitude towards the harsh criticisms from the opposition.
In the interview, Paetongtarn was also asked about the opposition's criticism of her attire, claiming that her clothing had become a target of military IO (information operations) and might be linked to Thailand's territorial security issues. She stated that she was not initially surprised by this claim, as similar accusations had been heard before. However, to ensure the accuracy of the information, she would request the Ministry of Defense to further investigate the matter.
Additionally, regarding the tax evasion controversy and issues related to the Hat Yai hotel, Paetongtarn stated that she and the relevant cabinet ministers had clarified these issues during the debate and had informed the public about the situation. She emphasized that the government had done its best to coordinate responses to the questions from the parliamentarians within the limited time, ensuring the transparency and openness of key information.
"Our time in parliament is limited, but it is our responsibility to answer all questions as efficiently as possible. If there is a need for further explanation, it can be provided outside of parliament, ensuring that parliamentary time is fully utilized and that the public has access to complete information," Paetongtarn said, confident that she had addressed all core issues and hoping that the public would view the government's responses with a fair attitude.
With the conclusion of this no-confidence motion debate, the focus of Thai politics will gradually shift towards the upcoming political developments and the implementation of policies, with the public also paying attention to how the Paetongtarn government responds to the opposition's queries and pushes forward the implementation of various policy agendas.
