The chief coalition whip yesterday dismissed speculation that the Lower House session had collapsed because of conflicts within the coalition.
Witthaya Kaewparadai, a senior Democrat figure who leads the coalition's coordination committee, said there were "no signs or indications" that yesterday's lack of a quorum was caused by any dispute or dissatisfaction within the coalition.
It was speculated that coalition partner Bhum Jai Thai was keeping its MPs away to retaliate against the Cabinet's decision on Tuesday to reject the leasing of 4,000 buses for the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority. The project was proposed by the Transport Ministry, which is overseen by ministers from Bhum Jai Thai.
Witthaya said yesterday's attendance records showed that there were absent MPs belonging to all coalition parties. Of the absentees, 15 were Democrat, nine Bhum Jai Thai, 12 Chart Thai Pattana, four Ruam Chart Pattana, three Social Action and one Matubhum member.
The chief coalition whip said that even Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who is the Democrat Party leader, was absent because of other engagements. Witthaya said Abhisit had called to ask if he was needed, but Witthaya told him he believed there would be no quorum count since the minimum number of MPs had already signed in for the meeting earlier in the morning.
However, House Speaker Chai Chidchob was forced to adjourn the House of Representatives session because of a lack of a quorum. A quorum of 237 MPs was needed for the session, but only 216 were present even though 232 had signed the attendance sheet at 9am.
Because of low attendance, Chai chose to conduct a consultation session about people's grievances while waiting for more MPs to arrive at Parliament. However, an hour later, opposition Pheu Thai MP Prayuth Siripanit protested, forcing Chai to check for quorum.
Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat, a senior Bhum Jai Thai figure, said his party would not retaliate after the Cabinet's rejection of the bus project. He also dismissed concerns that the party might boycott the House session.
"Duty is duty and Bhum Jai Thai will carry on doing its job as usual."
He said the controversial bus project would not cause a coalition split, though he was puzzled about the rejection, insisting that the project was in no way tainted by irregularities.
House Speaker Chai, who is also from Bhum Jai Thai, said he thought there was a sufficient quorum, as the attendance sheet contained 274 names.
When asked if it was unusual to call a quorum count so early, Chai said he was repeatedly urged by opposition MPs to follow the rules about attendance strictly and he was afraid of possible impeachment if he failed to comply.
Chai also rejected speculation that the session collapsed because Bhum Jai Thai was disappointed.
"Bhum Jai Thai caused no problems. We don't bring issues from the Cabinet into legislation matters," he said.
Witthaya said he had urged the prime minister to ensure that his Cabinet members do not miss House meetings and that he had handed the list of absent MPs to all coalition parties for further action. He also said coalition MPs would be required to attend House meetings next week to vote on the Budget Bill.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, in his capacity as the Democrat Party's secretary-general, said many MPs were absent because they were unsure about whether yesterday was an extra public holiday.
The government earlier declared tomorrow an extra public holiday in celebration of Her Majesty the Queen's birthday.