22-6-2023 (BANGKOK) Most Pheu Thai MPs are insisting that the new House speaker should come from their party, as they believe it should listen to the voters who supported them rather than the Move Forward Party (MFP).
The issue was raised on Wednesday at a seminar for newly endorsed party MPs following the May 14 general election. Party executives, including Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew, deputy leader Phumtham Wechayachai, and secretary-general Prasert Chantararuangthong, were also in attendance.
According to party sources, many MPs were upset after some party executives previously suggested that, in principle, the House speaker post should go to the MFP as it won the most House seats. Pheu Thai, which finished as runner-up, would take the post of deputy House speaker.
The MFP won 151 seats, 10 more than Pheu Thai, in last month’s poll. The two parties and six others have formed a prospective coalition with 313 members, hoping to be the next government.
During the seminar, Pheu Thai list-MP Adisorn Piengkes said that the House speaker must come from Pheu Thai. “We have 141 House seats. They [the MFP] have got 151. But why should we bow to them all the time? The MFP should lead the executive branch, but it’s too much to also take the House speaker post.”
Following the seminar, Dr Cholnan stated that most party MPs agreed the House speaker should be a Pheu Thai-chosen candidate. Over 10 million people voted for the party during the election. However, the party may call a meeting to decide on the matter.
Mr Phumtham led a team of negotiators to discuss cabinet seat allocation with the MFP. During the talks, he proposed that the two parties get 14 cabinet seats each with the MFP entitled to the prime ministerial position. He also suggested that, since the number of House seats won by Pheu Thai is only slightly less than the MFP’s, it would be appropriate if the House speaker position belonged to Pheu Thai.
Deputy Pheu Thai leader list-MP Sutin Klungsang said no conclusion was reached on who gets the House speaker position during the seminar, and the party will hold a general assembly to vote on the matter. Party executives will need to find ways to avoid conflict with the MFP, warned Prachachat Party leader Wan Muhamad Nor Matha.
