22-6-2023 (BANGKOK) The leader of the Pheu Thai Party, Cholnan Srikaew, has stated that the party is giving more weight to the opinions of its own members rather than those of its coalition allies when it comes to determining the House speaker’s position. Most members of the Pheu Thai Party are in favor of the party securing the coveted role, although an official decision has yet to be reached.
With 141 House seats, Pheu Thai trails slightly behind the Move Forward Party, which emerged victorious in the elections and holds 151 seats. The party’s remaining six coalition partners collectively possess 22 seats.
Dr. Cholnan acknowledged that the majority of Pheu Thai members desire the party to assume the role of House speaker. He emphasized that while Pheu Thai values the sentiments of all parties involved, its primary concerns lie with the people who have entrusted them with power, followed by the party members and MPs, with coalition parties ranking last.
However, Pheu Thai members and MPs have yet to reach a consensus on the issue of the speaker’s position. Dr. Cholnan admitted that the party is actively working to prevent the matter from spiraling out of control.
When asked about the possibility of nominating Suchart Tancharoen, an experienced Pheu Thai list MP who previously served as the first deputy House speaker after the 2019 election, Dr. Cholnan asserted that members possess the right to make proposals.
Dismissing a proposal from Wan Muhammad Nor Matha, the leader of the coalition ally Prachachat Party, which suggested granting Prachachat the second deputy speaker’s seat due to its status as the third-largest party among coalition allies, Dr. Cholnan pointed out that with Pheu Thai’s 141 seats compared to Prachachat’s 9, his party should claim both deputy positions if they are not successful in securing the main position.
Earlier, Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, the head of the Thai Sang Thai Party, and Mr. Wan Nor warned that the eight coalition allies would be unable to form a government unless the speaker issue is resolved.
Nonetheless, Dr. Cholnan expressed confidence that the coalition would not collapse. He believed that Pheu Thai and Move Forward would find a resolution before the House convenes for its initial meeting to vote on the speaker, which is expected to occur around July 6.
The selected speaker will preside over a joint session of the House and the Senate, scheduled for July 13, to elect the new prime minister.
Adisorn Piangket, a seasoned politician and Pheu Thai list MP, revealed that almost 100% of Pheu Thai members desire their party to claim the speaker’s position but do not wish for the matter to impede the establishment of a new government.
He stated, “If any issue remains unresolved, it must be decided in a House meeting. The House does not belong to any single party, and no party holds the majority of House seats.”
Mr. Adisorn expressed his hope that Pheu Thai and Move Forward could reach an agreement, enabling them to form a government with Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat assuming the role of prime minister.
