2-7-2023 (BANGKOK) The situation surrounding the House speaker position in Thailand has taken a new twist as the Pheu Thai Party appears to be having second thoughts about supporting the Move Forward Party (MFP) for the role. Previously, Pheu Thai had proposed that they would support MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat’s bid for prime minister, with the condition that if Pita failed to secure sufficient support from senators, he would step aside and allow Pheu Thai to attempt to form a coalition government.
In return for their support, Pheu Thai expected that the MFP would not compete with them for the House speaker role, and instead, Pheu Thai would aim to fill the two deputy speaker positions. This proposal was reportedly agreed upon by key figures of the parties during a meeting at Pheu Thai’s headquarters.
However, a Pheu Thai source has now revealed that the MFP has not provided a definitive answer regarding their agreement to the proposal. Pheu Thai has been unable to establish contact with MFP key figures, and during a visit to Phitsanulok, MFP’s Patipat Suntiphada was introduced as a House speaker candidate. This has been seen as disrespectful by Pheu Thai, as the parties have not yet reached a formal conclusion on the matter.
As a result, Pheu Thai has decided to postpone the scheduled meeting with the MFP, and they will hold internal discussions on the issue again. The party’s executive committee will meet on Monday to further deliberate on the matter, and the outcome will be communicated during a meeting of party MPs later that day before the party publicly announces its final stance.
Deputy Pheu Thai leader Phumtham Wechayachai stated that their negotiators have not engaged in new talks with the MFP, indicating that there have been no clear results from the discussions so far. He also mentioned that the House speaker issue is unlikely to be discussed during the meeting of the eight prospective coalition parties, scheduled for Sunday. Instead, this meeting will focus on preparations for the transfer of power to the new government.
