Archive photo (Editorial Credit: 1000 Words / Shutterstock.com)
Editorial credit: 1000 Words / Shutterstock.comA group of sympathizers of the Pheu Thai party called on the party last Sunday to allow the Move Forward party to form a coalition government independently and to break with this party. This call arose out of frustration over the perceived “disrespect” towards Pheu Thai. Pheu Thai's leader has indicated that he will consider the group's position.
A group of supporters dressed in red showed up at Pheu Thai headquarters to make their point known. Niyom Nopparat, the group's leader, said they want Pheu Thai to withdraw from coalition-building with Move Forward, saying Pheu Thai was "disrespected" during the process.
“The Pheu Thai fan club wants to urge parties to consider carefully whether it is possible to form a government without the Pheu Thai party,” he said.
The group's call came amid a dispute between Pheu Thai and Move Forward over the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives.
In their statement, the group suggested that Pheu Thai Move Forward, as the winner of the election, should first have a chance to form a government. If Move Forward fails to do so, it would be Pheu Thai's turn, as this party has won the second most seats in the House of Representatives.
Meanwhile, Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew has said the party will seriously study the group's proposal.
“The party is open to the views of all concerned, especially the supporters who value the Pheu Thai Party,” said Dr. Cholnan.
The Pheu Thai leader indicated that Move Forward would meet with coalition partners next Tuesday, expecting them to agree on the identity of the Speaker of the House.
“We must find the most favorable conditions for our cooperation… There must be a balance of give and take. There cannot be just one winner or loser. Then everyone will be happy," said Dr. Cholnan.
Source: Bangkok Post
And so the thunder in the glasses begins. Democratic parties block the formation of a solid majority government. Nothing has been learned. The military will take over.
Phua Thai is not used to playing second fiddle and ministries, etc., are little kingdoms in themselves where the minister/party in question can largely follow their own course. And PT is also not averse to more opportunistic elements, such as sneaky fish that, for example, crossed from Phua Thai to Phalangpracharat and back again. Participating in the cabinet often means eating from the government's pie and certain (legal) problems can suddenly disappear like snow in the sun. Networking or co… choose the label yourself.
Ex PT parliamentarian and now Prayuth supporter Jatuporn Prompan (จตุพร พรหมพันธุ์) recently reported that working with Move Forward is something strange as it makes corruption more difficult…. (source: khaosod)
Pheu Thai is a political party in Thailand that has been around for a while, knows how to run and also knows how to turn noses in the same direction. Political games? Yes, of course, but by whom and where not? Even Wobke is not averse to it. That's why I don't point to the Pheu Thai. No, on the contrary. Pita! Pita isn't maneuvering smart, imho. He could have expected that there would be great resistance at Pheu Thai, after all, only second place. They thought they had already won the election before it even started. Papa Thaksin had already announced that he would return to his “little girl” Ung Ing in July. He announced that he wanted to be there for his grandchildren as a grandfather. Great was their disappointment and their teeth gnashing when MFD took the lead. Papa Thaksin started a gossip campaign from Dubai immediately after the first results.
Pita has acted like a youthful activist. I thought him wiser. 1- Never should he have raised the issue 112. Could easily have been lifted over a cabinet term. Conservative Thailand does not change quickly. Those are two opposites. 2- Never should he have announced so immediately after May 14 that he wants all heavy economic and power ministries, and 3- never should have pushed so urgently for the presidency of the House of Commons, in order to realize the objectives of the MFP. All nice and transparent, but not favorable in Thailand to let you look into the cards so openly. Also 4- he should never have mentioned the marijuana troubles like this because in the meantime livelihood for many, (it would have been much smarter to put all the misery at Anutin's front door) and 5- much sooner he should have reassured Thailand's industrial bosses. Pita will waste time and energy with preening.
Already during the discussions and the presentation of the MoU it became clear that he had to compromise, which weakened his position. Pheu Thai entered the media as a sort of victim of Pita's ambitions that would really not turn out very well for Thailand, and barely 14 days after election day there is an influx of anti-MFD and pro-PT supporters.
As we know, the convergence of pros and cons can have a bad outcome.
Rumors in recent days that Pheu Thai was already busy with talks with various parties were denied, but Pita should have taken a much clearer position. that is precisely where he failed. Leadership and statesmanship: separate subjects.
We'll see what tomorrow brings. Two things must become clear to the Pheu Thai: Pita must be able to form a cabinet, otherwise Pheu Thai will take the initiative, and the name of an independent Lower House chairman must be mentioned.
Nothing wrong at all, that's how the game is played when putting together a coalition.
Move forward is the largest with a small difference, they supply the premier, PT understandably wants to supply the speaker, there is nothing wrong with that.
Move forward just plays poker but really won't let it go.
Here's some nuance: https://www.dickvanderlugt.nl/columns-journalistiek-en-onderwijs/thais-nieuws-mei/
Evil tongues, in this case Chuwit (who is usually very well informed), claim that Thaksin made a deal with the old regime.
The deal is: PT forges a coalition with Anutin, Prawit and Prayut on the condition that he returns to Thailand safely and is not punished. (and his daughter will be PM probably).
Well, these are and will be turbulent times in Thailand if that is really true and will happen.
Rumors and gossip have been circulating since day 1 after May 14 that PT, as the loser of the elections, was making deals with others in great disappointment. My position is that Pita should have spoken out much more clearly against this. A good moment to do so would have been last Monday, a day before the joint presentation of the MoU. Meanwhile, PT denies any form of closing deals in any way.
Today is an important day: PT claims the gavel of the House of Commons and believes it is entitled to it (141 seats) because MFP will already provide the PM (151). Both parties without the other 6 of the MoU will meet about this. Pita called for calm last Friday. Pita would do well to come forward much more. He is far too little of a potential leader of the next coalition and far too little of a statesman. He must show the Thais that he can lead and take the wind out of the sails of many more PT by ensuring that various political themes are not presented in such a controversial way on the many TV channels in Thailand and in social media. Maybe he should read this article: https://www.thaienquirer.com/49764/thais-must-disregard-coup-and-betrayal-rumors-and-stick-together/
The small Northern Thai village where we live is a Red-Shirt bastion. The grassroots Red Shirt movement is embedded in the social fabric there. Still, most voters voted mixed. One vote for the local PTP candidate and one vote for the MFP.
They did this because they want fundamental change. On the one hand, their disbelief in the “Returning happiness to the people” story of the military administration has become absolute after all these years. On the other hand, their belief in the power of change at PTP, the “political vehicle” of the Red Shirt movement, is so small that they prefer to opt for the unknown of MFP.
If the PTP party leadership were to form a coalition with Anutin, Prawit and Prayut, this would be seen as betrayal and collaboration in the Red Shirt movement, the electoral base of PTP.
15 years ago, an old local senior militant in the Red Shirt movement openly questioned whether the Shinawatras were a blessing or a plague for his movement/people. He spoke French to me and called my homemade French baguette bread khanom pang Lao.
Peuple Lao in Thailand, lai lai 🙂
Secret agendas at Peu Thai and other schemes. That evokes a well-known saying in my mind "two dogs fight over a bone and the third quickly goes with it".
Prayuth cs will be happy with it. Can they intervene and kill the impending democratic process?
How does this end? We will see.