No need to join coalition government, says leading Democrat

[webfact]

No need to join coalition government, says leading Democrat

By The Nation

 

Photo from Parit Wacharasindhu's Facebook

 

Parit Wacharasindhu, a new generation Democrat Party member, wants his party to play a “constructive” opposition role in line with the party’s ideology rather than join any coalition government.
 

With around 55 seats won in Sunday’s election, the Democrats are seen as holding the balance of power: they can choose between joining forces with a Pheu Thai-led bloc or siding with the Phalang Pracharat-led camp.

 

“As a party member and a representative of the 3.9 million popular votes we won, I think we need to be honest to our ideology,” Parit, who is a nephew of ex-party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, said in a Facebook Live interview with Suthichai Yoon on Friday.

 

 

Parit was referring to Abhisit’s declaration before the election that the party would neither support General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s return to power as prime minister nor corrupt politicians.

 

Abhisit resigned as party leader after the Democrats faced huge losses in Sunday’s poll.

 

Parit said the opposition role he was recommending did not mean the party would obstruct the country’s efforts to move forward; some observers have suggested attempts to form a coalition government may not bear fruit without the Democrats joining either Pheu Thai or Phalang Pracharat.

 

He personally said a bloc that could successfully gather a majority or more than 250 seats was entitled to be the next government, whether or not that party is the Democrats’ old rival Pheu Thai.

 

The Pheu Thai-led bloc now claims to have at least 255 seats and to be in the best position to form the next government.

 

Phalang Pracharat, meanwhile, is still seeking confirmed coalition partners because some parties like the Democrats and Bhumjaithai, who would win 52 seats, remain undecided.

 

Parit said the Democrats did not need to be need to be part of a coalition government, no matter if it were led by Pheu Thai or Phalang Pracharat, but they would vote in parliament for good policies or those which tallied with their own.

 

“At the same time we will play a role in scrutinising the government,” he added.

 

Parit’s suggestion came one hour before Democrat Party executives were scheduled to meet at 10am on Friday to discuss whether to join any camp.

 

However, Parit said that the party should leave the decision to its 100,000-plus members around the country by conducting a primary vote.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30366766

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-03-29

[Roadman]

Future Forward should also do the same. Let the majority of the others form a government and the Democrats and Future Forward vote support on sound corruption free policy. 

[pornprong]

15 minutes ago, Roadman said:

Future Forward should also do the same. Let the majority of the others form a government and the Democrats and Future Forward vote support on sound corruption free policy. 

You're comparing apple to oranges.

 

Future Forward are pro-democracy whilst the Democrats are clearly not (and never have been).

The only place for democracy supporters is in a coalition opposed to the current regime not sitting on a fence.

 

That said, not joining any coalition is probably the Democrats only realistic chance of survival, but even this most likely won't work - too many skeletons in the closet, too many boycotts, too many dead bodies.

 

Looking into the crystal ball, it's very, very hard to see how the Future Forward vote is not going to keep growing and growing in and around the Bangkok constituencies - all at the expense of the Democrats and Palang Parachart.

 

The next election late this year, early next year is going to be interesting - particularly the relationship between Pheu Thai and Future Forward as they become the 2 largest parties.

[geoffbezoz]

Of course there is no need as they will rely on Suthep and the evil monk to rain havoc down on BKK streets again . Abhsit resigned but who say he will not be re-elected again and become the puppet PM once Prayut is gone

[Eric Loh]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Parit said the Democrats did not need to be need to be part of a coalition government

Yes stay non aligned and be a viable opposition. A decade of snuggling up to the military has only brought your party declining supporters and a poor image. 

[Peterbilt]

6 minutes ago, pornprong said:

The next election late this year, early next year is going to be interesting - particularly the relationship between Pheu Thai and Future Forward as they become the 2 largest parties.

Sorry for OT, but where will be elections late this year and early next year?

[Thailand]

They really should change their name, can see them backing the military when the trough is opened to them.

[bannork]

13 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

Yes stay non aligned and be a viable opposition. A decade of snuggling up to the military has only brought your party declining supporters and a poor image. 

It seems The Democrats lost support to Future Forward (younger voters) and to Palang Pracharat ( older, more conservative voters).

Regarding the former, unless Future Forward implodes I can't see how The Democrats can win back support. Everything about the party oozes stuffiness and conformity, they do have some excellent politicians, intelligent people with experience, but they're simply not daring enough to offer an exciting future to the young.

Regarding the latter, they've just lost a whole lot of votes and seats to Palang Pracharat and they're thinking of joining them to form a government? That will just add to the strength of PPRT as they wheel out more populist policies to keep the grassroots satisfied and seal their role as the nation's chief defender against Thaksin's parties, leaving The Democrats as a bridesmaid at their own wedding.

 

[yellowboat]

So much in Thailand needs to change and actually be reformed: judiciary, military, education.   All this pettiness makes Thailand look like a lost cause.

[GarryP]

29 minutes ago, pornprong said:

You're comparing apple to oranges.

 

Future Forward are pro-democracy whilst the Democrats are clearly not (and never have been).

The only place for democracy supporters is in a coalition opposed to the current regime not sitting on a fence.

 

That said, not joining any coalition is probably the Democrats only realistic chance of survival, but even this most likely won't work - too many skeletons in the closet, too many boycotts, too many dead bodies.

 

Looking into the crystal ball, it's very, very hard to see how the Future Forward vote is not going to keep growing and growing in and around the Bangkok constituencies - all at the expense of the Democrats and Palang Parachart.

 

The next election late this year, early next year is going to be interesting - particularly the relationship between Pheu Thai and Future Forward as they become the 2 largest parties.

Could it be that a lot of the voters in Bangkok blame the Democrats as supporting the coup and as such bootlickers of the military.  They shot themselves in the foot with that as the junta has proven pretty poor in running the country and is increasingly hated/disliked by a large number of the population.  Perhaps, if the junta had only stayed on a year it would not have been so bad for the Dems, but it did not work out like that. 

 

Probably the only way to save itself is by staying in the opposition.  

 

As to Palang Prachachart, will it disappear into the mists of the past like other parties that supported or were formed around the military, Sammakhi Tham comes to mind. They don't seem to have a very long shelf life. And if that is the case, I do hope those defecting members are not welcomed back to their original parties and told in no uncertain terms to eff off.    

[bannork]

10 minutes ago, GarryP said:

Could it be that a lot of the voters in Bangkok blame the Democrats as supporting the coup and as such bootlickers of the military.  They shot themselves in the foot with that as the junta has proven pretty poor in running the country and is increasingly hated/disliked by a large number of the population.  Perhaps, if the junta had only stayed on a year it would not have been so bad for the Dems, but it did not work out like that. 

 

Probably the only way to save itself is by staying in the opposition.  

 

As to Palang Prachachart, will it disappear into the mists of the past like other parties that supported or were formed around the military, Sammakhi Tham comes to mind. They don't seem to have a very long shelf life. And if that is the case, I do hope those defecting members are not welcomed back to their original parties and told in no uncertain terms to eff off.    

I think the difference between this coup and the last two is the determination of the army this time to remain as a constant and very visible presence in Thai politics.

[Khaeng Mak]

Wow...so they have the balance of power.  How many more parties or coalitions are going to claim they have won the election.

 

For the life of me I cannot see how all of this will not end in violence.

[seajae]

ptp has never been democratic, they are thaksins machine and will always do as he says, any party joining them is not looking at the truth of it all. Future Forward could have been a refreshing party if they had of stayed clear of them, democrats are doing the right thing as long as they dont join PP, this is what FF should be doing to show the people of Thailand a true opposition with democratic ideals not thaksin inspired ones. Unless FF actually push their own ideals in the coalition they will end up like the dems, failing badly, they need to show people how honest/different they really are to become a true viable option and win over many voters from ptp, pp and the dems

[pornprong]

23 minutes ago, seajae said:

ptp has never been democratic, they are thaksins machine and will always do as he says, any party joining them is not looking at the truth of it all. Future Forward could have been a refreshing party if they had of stayed clear of them, democrats are doing the right thing as long as they dont join PP, this is what FF should be doing to show the people of Thailand a true opposition with democratic ideals not thaksin inspired ones. Unless FF actually push their own ideals in the coalition they will end up like the dems, failing badly, they need to show people how honest/different they really are to become a true viable option and win over many voters from ptp, pp and the dems

Yeah mate, and the earth is flat.

[GarryP]

23 minutes ago, seajae said:

ptp has never been democratic, they are thaksins machine and will always do as he says, any party joining them is not looking at the truth of it all. Future Forward could have been a refreshing party if they had of stayed clear of them, democrats are doing the right thing as long as they dont join PP, this is what FF should be doing to show the people of Thailand a true opposition with democratic ideals not thaksin inspired ones. Unless FF actually push their own ideals in the coalition they will end up like the dems, failing badly, they need to show people how honest/different they really are to become a true viable option and win over many voters from ptp, pp and the dems

Spending a lifetime in the opposition hasn't done the Democrats any favours. 

[Reigntax]

2 minutes ago, GarryP said:

Spending a lifetime in the opposition hasn't done the Democrats any favours. 

But they are good at being irrelevant so they may as well remain in familiar territory.

[chainarong]

36 minutes ago, GarryP said:

Spending a lifetime in the opposition hasn't done the Democrats any favours. 

How long did U say you've had anything to do with Thailand, short going by your comment, Spending a Lifetime in opposition, really.

Edited March 29, 2019 by chainarong

[gunderhill]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Parit, who is a nephew

Just got to  keep it in the family haven't  they.

[Baerboxer]

6 hours ago, pornprong said:

You're comparing apple to oranges.

 

Future Forward are pro-democracy whilst the Democrats are clearly not (and never have been).

The only place for democracy supporters is in a coalition opposed to the current regime not sitting on a fence.

 

That said, not joining any coalition is probably the Democrats only realistic chance of survival, but even this most likely won't work - too many skeletons in the closet, too many boycotts, too many dead bodies.

 

Looking into the crystal ball, it's very, very hard to see how the Future Forward vote is not going to keep growing and growing in and around the Bangkok constituencies - all at the expense of the Democrats and Palang Parachart.

 

The next election late this year, early next year is going to be interesting - particularly the relationship between Pheu Thai and Future Forward as they become the 2 largest parties.

 

Future Forward will certainly grow I hope.

 

PTP might well continue the decline having polled less than half the number who voted for them last time.

[Baerboxer]

5 hours ago, bannork said:

It seems The Democrats lost support to Future Forward (younger voters) and to Palang Pracharat ( older, more conservative voters).

Regarding the former, unless Future Forward implodes I can't see how The Democrats can win back support. Everything about the party oozes stuffiness and conformity, they do have some excellent politicians, intelligent people with experience, but they're simply not daring enough to offer an exciting future to the young.

Regarding the latter, they've just lost a whole lot of votes and seats to Palang Pracharat and they're thinking of joining them to form a government? That will just add to the strength of PPRT as they wheel out more populist policies to keep the grassroots satisfied and seal their role as the nation's chief defender against Thaksin's parties, leaving The Democrats as a bridesmaid at their own wedding.

 

 

PTP lost between 7-8 million votes from the number who voted for them in 2011. Who did these voters vote for?

[Baerboxer]

3 hours ago, pornprong said:

Yeah mate, and the earth is flat.

 

?

 

What on earth on you trying to say? That FF aren't likely to be any different?

[Baerboxer]

Just now, Baerboxer said:

 

?

 

What on earth on you trying to say? That FF aren't likely to be any different?

Or still pretending that PTP are a real political party, really interested in democracy?

 

[bannork]

32 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

PTP lost between 7-8 million votes from the number who voted for them in 2011. Who did these voters vote for?

Obviously to the PPRT MPs who defected from Pheua Thai for various reasons- avoid criminal prosecution for past misdeeds, sweeteners, or to 'move beyond the conflict between Thaksin and the establishment'; secondly the young who voted for FF.

[jayboy]

How is he a leading Democrat - other than being Abhisit's nephew? He was trounced in the seat he was trying to win and has no political record.

 

He's a bright young man but he needs to do something worthwhile for the country before rabbiting on about political alliances.

 

And his friends/beaks/dons from Eton and Oxford would tell him not to be such a silly tit in equating stooges of the Junta with elected politicians.

[ocddave]

You can't call yourself the "Democrat" party and support a dictatorship, so I would hope they think very hard before doing something eternally stupid.

[sjaak327]

6 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Future Forward will certainly grow I hope.

 

PTP might well continue the decline having polled less than half the number who voted for them last time.

Oh there you go again, they ONLY contested in 250 constituencies, courtesy of the EC and the constitutional court disbanding it's sister party. They did win 137 out of the 250 constituencies where people could actually vote for them. They remain (by far) the most popular political party in Thailand. No wonder, those Junta fanboys are utterly unable to interpret election results, it really boggles the mind ! 

 

If this was a free and fair election the notion that they only polled half of the votes compared to last time, would be just, but everyone knows these weren't free and fair elections, and PTP could not field candidates in 29% of the constituencies, because the party that fielded candidates there, was dissolved on dubious grounds. 

 

In any case, even when their efforts have been severely sabotaged by the Junta, they still won the elections. What did you say again ? suck it up ?

 

 

Edited March 29, 2019 by sjaak327

[sjaak327]

6 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

PTP lost between 7-8 million votes from the number who voted for them in 2011. Who did these voters vote for?

Most probably most of them went to FFP, many couldn't even vote for PTP as they didn't field candidates in 100 out of 350 constituencies. But you bloody well know this too. Still trying to post utter nonsense regardless. We call that idiotic and devious. 

[YetAnother]

18 hours ago, webfact said:

Parit was referring to Abhisit’s declaration before the election that the party would neither support General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s return to power as prime minister nor corrupt politicians

then they are fools lacking intelligence, Not joining the anti-military forces effectively hands the govt back to the military

[Eric Loh]

18 hours ago, bannork said:

It seems The Democrats lost support to Future Forward (younger voters) and to Palang Pracharat ( older, more conservative voters).

Regarding the former, unless Future Forward implodes I can't see how The Democrats can win back support. Everything about the party oozes stuffiness and conformity, they do have some excellent politicians, intelligent people with experience, but they're simply not daring enough to offer an exciting future to the young.

Regarding the latter, they've just lost a whole lot of votes and seats to Palang Pracharat and they're thinking of joining them to form a government? That will just add to the strength of PPRT as they wheel out more populist policies to keep the grassroots satisfied and seal their role as the nation's chief defender against Thaksin's parties, leaving The Democrats as a bridesmaid at their own wedding.

 

Does seem a no brainer answer to the party’s woes. They have been make irrelevant and redundant by FFP’s strong message against the military and their staunch supporters sold out their loyalty to a lying cheating party who made enticing promises and they fell for it. 

 

The party leaders have lots to be blamed for the party decline and they carry too much political baggages to make any decision for the party. They should all resign in shame.

 

The party better off non aligned and have a fresh executives to plan their future. In fact, partnering the anti junta coalition will be a possible benefit for their future. Their caveat being no PTP leaders should be PM. 

[hotchilli]

20 hours ago, yellowboat said:

So much in Thailand needs to change and actually be reformed: judiciary, military, education.   All this pettiness makes Thailand look like a lost cause.

Thailand cannot change, it's in a groove going around & around, and will remain so until all the dinosaurs are extinct and a new breed of younger thinkers can take the lead.

I think Future Forward party shocked many with their result, the next election I think even more will vote for them believing they would have a real chance .