31-7-2023 (BANGKOK) Amidst ongoing political negotiations, elected representatives and appointed senators have expressed their support for the formation of a new coalition government, provided that it excludes the Move Forward Party (MFP). This condition was reiterated by Phumtham Wechayachai, the deputy leader of the Pheu Thai Party, on Monday.
The matter is set to be discussed this week before the anticipated joint sitting of the two chambers of parliament on Friday. In discussions with elected MPs from other parties and appointed senators, the Pheu Thai Party confirmed that they would back a prime minister nominee from their party, as long as the Move Forward Party is not included in the new government.
Mr. Phumtham acknowledged the complexity of the situation and stated that coalition allies would convene to discuss the matter further. On Wednesday, the Pheu Thai Party would hold a meeting with the Move Forward Party and six other allies, followed by a meeting of Pheu Thai MPs on Thursday. The joint sitting of the House and the Senate is expected to vote for the new prime minister on Friday.
The Move Forward Party emerged as the winner of the May 14 general election with 151 House seats. However, they let the Pheu Thai Party, the second-largest party with 141 House seats, lead the government formation process after their leader and sole candidate for prime minister, Pita Limjaroenrat, failed to secure a majority vote from the joint parliament on July 13.
One of the major concerns raised by parliamentarians was the Move Forward Party’s intention to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, also known as the lese majeste law.
On Monday, Mr. Phumtham shared the economic policies of the Pheu Thai Party on Twitter, referring to them as the leaders of the expected next government. The policies included providing 10,000 baht each in digital wallets for all voters, implementing a minimum daily wage of 600 baht within four years, setting a minimum monthly salary of 20,000 baht for employees with a bachelor’s degree, and ensuring a minimum household income of 20,000 baht.
Pheu Thai list MP Noppadon Patama stated that the party was likely to nominate Srettha Thavisin for prime minister at the joint sitting on Friday, and he anticipated strong support for his candidacy. He dismissed the Move Forward Party’s proposal for coalition allies to wait 10 months for the current appointed senators’ five-year terms to end, as this would delay their participation in voting for the prime minister.
Sources suggest that a Pheu Thai-led coalition government might include other parties such as the Palang Pracharath Party, which currently leads the caretaker government with 40 House votes, the Bhumjaithai Party with 71 votes, the Democrat Party with 25 votes, the Chartthaipattana Party with 10 votes, the Prachachat Party with nine votes, the Pue Thai Rumphlang Party with two MPs, the Chartpattanakla Party with two MPs, the Seri Ruam Thai Party with one MP, and the Plung Sungkom Mai Party, also with one vote. Together, the new alliance would have 302 votes in the House of 500 representatives.
On the other hand, MFP’s deputy secretary-general, Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat, expressed reservations about revealing the composition of a new government before a meeting of all eight coalition allies, including the Move Forward Party. He emphasized that the winning political party from the general election allowed the Pheu Thai Party to lead the government’s formation to foster a new government comprising the eight political parties, hinting at the original MFP coalition.
