Bangkok: The acting Prime Minister does not have the authority to dissolve Parliament, as confirmed by the Secretary-General of the Council of State. The Constitutional Court holds the authority to interpret such matters, but it must be based on an actual event.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Pakorn Nilprapan, the Secretary-General of the Council of State, addressed the ongoing discussions about the acting prime minister’s power to dissolve parliament. He expressed that the conversation has become confusing and emphasized the need to wait for developments. Mr. Pakorn reiterated that his opinion remains unchanged and aligns with the original stance of the Council of State.
When questioned about the legal situation, Mr. Pakorn mentioned that his previous statements have been subject to criticism. He confirmed that the Council of State serves as the government’s legal advisor and maintained his original opinion when asked about potential discussions at the Cabinet meeting.
Rumors have circulated about the Cabinet potentially discussing the dissolution of Parliament. Mr. Pakorn insisted on standing by his original opinion regarding such rumors. He refrained from speculating on the consequences if the acting prime minister decided to dissolve Parliament, stating that no legal issues have arisen yet and advising against premature speculation.
Mr. Pakorn clarified that the Constitutional Court is responsible for interpreting the constitution and that the Council of State merely provides opinions. He acknowledged that a petition could only be filed once the matter occurred, and emphasized that the process follows the Constitution and the Constitutional Court Procedure Act.
Regarding trust in the Council of State, Mr. Pakorn noted that it is up to the government to make decisions based on various academic opinions. He stressed the importance of considering circumstances when deciding on actions. Finally, when asked about possible complaints to the Constitutional Court if Parliament were dissolved, Mr. Pakorn chose not to comment further, citing potential academic criticism.