House to meet despite cases

Despite nine MPs having been diagnosed with Covid-19 last week, House meetings remain set to go ahead this week as scheduled, Dr Sukij Atthopakorn, adviser to the parliament president, said on Sunday.

The cluster is believed to have originated from Siripong Angkasakulkiat, the Bhumjaithai Party MP for Si Sa Ket.

Despite the setback, Parliament President Chuan Leekpai decided that meetings from Wednesday to Friday will proceed as scheduled, said Dr Sukij.

Mr Chuan said parliament must be able to function regardless of the pandemic.

However, in addition to current preventative measures, the areas in parliament where the eight infected MPs had been working are to be deep cleaned, added Dr Sukij.

On Jan 27, Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul took part in a House meeting where he joined his Bhumjaithai Party MPs, including Mr Siripong, in addressing a motion.

The previous day, Mr Anutin, who leads Bhujaithai, and other party MPs presented a bill on cannabis and hemp to Mr Chuan. All were pictured standing close to each other, albeit with face masks on.

Senator Somchai Sawaengkarn, meanwhile, suggested the names of all infected MPs be disclosed after the latest cases brought to 12 the total number of MPs to catch the virus since Jan 1.

Previously, Det-it Khaothong, a Demcorat Party for Songkhla; Akradet Wongpitakroj, a Democrat MP for Ratchaburi; and Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn of the Palang PracharathParty, had all tested positive.