BANGKOK, Sept 1 (TNA) – Thailand’s political uncertainty continues as the Pheu Thai Party and its allies work to form a new government and elect the country’s 32nd prime minister.
The efforts follow the recent ousting of former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, which left a political vacuum.
A key move came on Sunday when senior Pheu Thai figure Phumtham Wechayachai led a delegation to the People’s Party to seek support for their prime ministerial candidate, Chaikasem Nitisiri. Phumtham stated that Pheu Thai and its partners were ready to accept all proposals from the People’s Party. They also expressed a willingness to dissolve parliament within four months, as requested.
However, the People’s Party has denied reports that it has decided to vote for Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul. The party reiterated its three strict conditions for a vote: a parliamentary dissolution within four months, a referendum on the drafting of a new constitution, and a firm commitment that the People’s Party will not join the government or accept any cabinet posts. It stressed that no final decision has been made.
The Bhumjaithai Party is also actively seeking support for its own leader, Anutin Charnvirakul, and is expected to assess the political situation at a party meeting today. The competing efforts by Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai to gather a majority reflect the ongoing struggle to stabilize the political landscape. Both the Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai parties are vying for the support of the People’s Party because the People’s Party holds the largest single bloc of seats in the House of Representatives.
The People’s Party, a successor to the dissolved Move Forward Party, does not have its own prime ministerial candidate for the current political situation in Thailand. As a major opposition party, it has chosen to act as a conditional supporter of a candidate from another party rather than joining a government. This is a strategy to push for new general elections and a referendum on a new constitution, which they believe will lead to a more legitimate government.
Meanwhile, a protest group, the United Power of the Land,” rallied in Bangkok on Sunday to oppose the Pheu Thai Party’s prime ministerial candidate. Led by Jatuporn Prompan, the group claims a Pheu Thai-led government would prolong the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia.
The group has set out conditions, also including revoking controversial draft bills related to property and casinos. Jatuporn also warned the People’s Party that any support for Pheu Thai—even abstaining from voting—would be met with continued protests. -819 (TNA)
