7-8-2023 (BANGKOK) Anutin Charnvirakul, the leader of Thailand’s Bhumjaithai party, announced on Monday (Aug 7) that he has accepted an invitation from the Pheu Thai party to attempt to form a government, more than two months after the country’s elections.
The populist Pheu Thai party secured the second-largest share of votes in the May elections and is now seeking to establish a government after the previous winner, Move Forward, failed in its attempts in parliament.
Bhumjaithai, which is known for advocating the decriminalization of cannabis, stated that it would align with Pheu Thai on three conditions. One of these conditions is that the new alliance agrees to maintain the country’s strict laws against insulting the monarchy.
Anutin also emphasized that his party would only remain in the Pheu Thai-led alliance if Move Forward was excluded and if they did not form a minority government.
Move Forward had campaigned on the need to reform the contentious lese majeste laws, which many argue are used to suppress opposition to the current royalist, military-backed government.
“Pheu Thai and the Bhumjaithai party will form the government with the support of other parties,” stated Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew.
