Pheu Thai to debate govt policies

Pheu Thai partylist MP Chalerm Yoobamrung said he would lead the onslaught, by pointing out flaws in the government's policies during a party meeting to be held at 9.30am at the Miracle Grand Hotel.

 As the debate would be outside Parliament, party members have told the MPs not to name third-party persons during the debate today because they will not have immunity against lawsuits for libel.

Petition to Prawit

The House committee on military affairs, led by Pheu Thai's Nakhon Ratchasima MP Somchai Phetprasert, is scheduled to petition to Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, to probe into military leaders commenting on politics.

 He said the comments were against military regulations.

 Asean Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan said Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya would bring the outline for the Asean Summit to a House session on Thursday and Friday.

 Meanwhile, tomorrow would be the first Cabinet meeting at Government House after it officially declared its policies.

 The results from the meeting would indicate what the government really stresses on and sees as urgent.

Governor election

The by-election for Bangkok governor is set for this Sunday. Former Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayodhin of the Democrat Party resigned after he was indicted by the National Anti-Corruption Commission for alleged involvement in the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration firetruck scandal.

 The Democrat Party has fielded MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra for the seat. Pheu Thai Party, the new party of the now-defunct People Power Party, has fielded actor-turn-politician Yuranan Pamornmontri

 Meanwhile, ML Nattakorn Devakula, Kaewsan Atibodhi, Leena Jangjanja and others are running as independent candidates.

By-election on Sunday

The by-election for 29 MP seats in 22 provinces is scheduled for Sunday.

 The elections are a consequence of the dissolution of the People Power, Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya parties last month. Among the 22 provinces are Bangkok, Samut Prakan and Ubon Ratchathani. Suphan Buri, where five former Chart Thai MP seats are vacant, is also included.

 Both the government and the opposition Pheu Thai Party believe the poll results will not affect the majority in Parliament.

 However, as the government coalition currently has fewer than 40 MP seats more than the opposition, the by-elections will be important in determining the government's stability to some extent.