Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said on the second and last day of the joint House-Senate debate that he was not seeking to politically exploit the flood crisis or seek to undo the Yingluck Shinawatra administration for the meantime.
He added, however, that the government should not make the Opposition party a "scapegoat" for the crisis.
Abhisit also proposed the government to strengthen four areas of water management in the future. These include: a unified water management and drainage operations under one organisation and with linked data and information; more accurate communication with the public was also proposed, as well as ways to manage rain-related flood water.
Abhisit said "at no time in history has the opposition party been as committed as now to work with the government in order to address the crisis".
He said he had tried to avoid unconstructive criticisms and yet was accused by the speaker of Pheu Thai Party of being "pretentious", and was also opposed by people in some flood areas.
Abhisit also urged the government to quickly save Rama II Road, the main route linking Bangkok and the South as well as industrial estates such as Bangchan and Lat Krabang.
"It's dangerous to only think politically," Abhisit warned, adding that the allegation his administration kept too much water in major dams is false as the Agriculture Minister had now admitted to delaying the discharge of water from dams to allow farmers downstream to finish harvesting first.
Prime Minister Yingluck, meanwhile, reiterated to the joint session her decision to continue to serve "until the end", adding she will accept all recommendations and forward it to the two committees recently set up. She added that those who have to bear more flood water will be specially compensated.
Yingluck added that it is ludicrous that some had even alleged the government had allowed crocodiles to flee so they could attack people.
As for the relief bags, Yingluck admitted there were problems with political feud in some areas, which affected the dispersal of the bags. She said those found to be involved in corruption would be prosecuted.
The premier ended her address to the joint session shortly after 11am yesterday, stating: "I would like to reiterate that I will be patient and earnest and will not retreat from solving the problem and rehabilitating the country and restore trust in the people.
I ask for moral support and unity among members [of both Houses] and the people and would like to offer the happiness of the people as gift to His Majesty on his 84th birthday."
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