28-7-2023 (HONG KONG) Ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has reportedly reached a political deal with Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the leader of the Progressive Movement, over the formation of a new government ahead of Thaksin’s planned return to Thailand. A source from the Pheu Thai Party revealed that Mr. Thanathorn flew to Hong Kong on Monday to discuss the possibility of excluding the Move Forward Party (MFP) from the new government with Thaksin. The Pheu Thai Party is widely believed to be led by Thaksin.
The Progressive Movement was formed after the Future Forward Party (FFP), which Thanathorn founded and led, was disbanded over an illegal loan. While the dissolved party re-emerged as the MFP, its key figures were banned from participating in elections. The Progressive Movement has been helping the MFP with its election campaign.
The source’s revelation came after MFP Secretary-General Chaithawat Tulathon dismissed a report on Wednesday claiming the party’s key figures were planning to fly to Hong Kong to meet Thaksin to discuss the preconditions for joining a new government. Chaithawat insisted that any decision on the formation of a new government must be reached by the eight allies in the coalition.
Meanwhile, massage parlour tycoon-turned-whistleblower Chuvit Kamolvisit claimed in a press conference on Thursday that Pheu Thai had struck a deal with Bhumjaithai and the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) to form a government with a combined 279 MPs, excluding the MFP. Chuvit alleged that key figures of the parties met Thaksin in Hong Kong on Tuesday to strike the deal.
The MFP, the United Thai Nation Party, and the Democrat Party would form the opposition if a new coalition is formed. A PM candidate nominated by the new coalition bloc would get the support from senators because the MFP would no longer be part of the coalition, Chuvit claimed.
“Pheu Thai and the MFP are bound together. Pheu Thai cannot say it doesn’t want to stay with the MFP, so it has to let Bhumjaithai do the work because Bhumjaithai had made it clear from the very beginning that it will not work with the MFP,” Chuvit said, adding that Bhumjaithai would take charge of forming a new government.
Another source claimed that Prawit Wongsuwon, the leader of the PPRP, has thrown his support behind Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin’s daughter and Pheu Thai PM candidate. If Pheu Thai nominated her for the next PM vote, senators with close ties to Gen Prawit would vote for her.
