Democracy camp ready to give up PM post to block pro-junta camp

By THE NATION

 

 

ANTI-JUNTA PARTIES Pheu Thai and Future Forward hinted at being ready to sacrifice hopes of naming the next prime minister if that’s what it will take to block the generals from remaining in politics, even as medium-sized parties become the determining factor in forming the next government.
 

The Democrat and Bhumjaithai parties, which have about 50 MPs each, now hold the key to deciding which camp will run the country after both major blocs failed to muster enough seats on their own to form a government.

 

The Democrats will reportedly make their decision after the party chooses its new leader on Wednesday. Bhumjaithai, meanwhile, has kept mum, saying it was listening to the voice of the people. There have been news reports that neither part was satisfied with the Cabinet seats offered them by the pro-junta camp. 

 

The anti-junta camp led by Pheu Thai and Future Forward has 245 MPs, short of a simple majority in the 500-member House of Representatives, while their rivals have about 120, mainly from three parties – Phalang Pracharat, Action Coalition for Thailand and People’s Reform.

 

While the anti-junta camp has been pressing the medium-sized parties to make a decision and “show respect” for the people’s voice, it also appeared ready to give up important seats in the government despite the large number of votes they gained.

 

Pheu Thai de facto leader Sudarat Keyuraphan said yesterday that the medium-sized parties joining the anti-junta bloc did not necessarily mean they had to support Pheu Thai’s bid to secure power.

 

“We don’t mean to have them back us as a government or our choice for prime minister,” she said. “We’re only looking for ways to stop the junta from retaining power. If political parties join forces, the National Council for Peace and Order [NCPO] will have to go home. They [the parties] don’t have to support Pheu Thai’s bid for power at all.” 

 

Sudarat, however, denied offering the government’s top job to Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul.

 

“We haven’t talked yet,” she said. “Now, let’s focus on their stance – whether they want this election to be a rebirth of democracy for the people or justify the NCPO’s status.”

 

The Future Forward Party, which gained more than 80 seats in the Lower House in its election debut, also said it prioritises elimination of the junta and was ready to vote for any good candidate as PM. Its leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, however, dismissed news reports that his party would even support Democrat ex-leader Abhisit Vejjajiva as PM in order to put an end to the current regime.

 

Thanathorn reiterated that Future Forward was ready to vote for anyone who could muster sufficient MPs to stop the junta. This did not mean they would back the Democrats unconditionally, he stressed.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30369251

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-05-13

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very interesting set of circumstances from an ethical point of view, the pro-democracy groups should do anything to get the army out, after that, it would theoretically be easier for a more popular leader (thanathorn, sudarat) to have a legitimate claim to top job

1 hour ago, webfact said:

“We’re only looking for ways to stop the junta from retaining power. If political parties join forces, the National Council for Peace and Order [NCPO] will have to go home.

I couldn't think of a better reason to join forces against the junta.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

ANTI-JUNTA PARTIES Pheu Thai and Future Forward hinted at being ready to sacrifice hopes of naming the next prime minister if that’s what it will take to block the generals from remaining in politics,

made my day; maybe there is faint hope for this place

Expect another goalpost realignment anytime soon

Either that or simply reverting back to letting rifles rather than votes decide the issue

11 minutes ago, grumbleweed said:

Expect another goalpost realignment anytime soon

Either that or simply reverting back to letting rifles rather than votes decide the issue

Sad, but true. 

4 hours ago, Thaiwrath said:

I couldn't think of a better reason to join forces against the junta.

Except that they will not go home. According to the new constitution that cannot be changed, even if they are not the government, they will be able to pass or block laws, impeach a government, etc.. as they control the Senate, the strategic committee and all so called independent organisations, not mentioning the judiciary.

Junta aside, it's still funny how some of these parties are now labeled the "Democracy camp".

4 minutes ago, Morch said:

Junta aside, it's still funny how some of these parties are now labeled the "Democracy camp".

Explain.

5 hours ago, perthuniversity said:

very interesting set of circumstances from an ethical point of view, the pro-democracy groups should do anything to get the army out, after that, it would theoretically be easier for a more popular leader (thanathorn, sudarat) to have a legitimate claim to top job

As I have said before. If they formed a coalition to then get rid of the Junta nominated Senate they could hold a free and probably fairer new election!

18 minutes ago, candide said:

According to the new constitution that cannot be changed, even if they are not the government, they will be able to pass or block laws, impeach a government, etc..

That's the next huge obstacle and undoing the 20yr plan. Anything anyone does opposite as in trying to undo the law the junta drew up will be under a National Security issue and relieved of power and possibly trialed as a traitor. 

 

10 minutes ago, holy cow cm said:

That's the next huge obstacle and undoing the 20yr plan. Anything anyone does opposite as in trying to undo the law the junta drew up will be under a National Security issue and relieved of power and possibly trialed as a traitor. 

What goes up, must come down.

What has been done can be undone.

Where there is the will, there is a way.

 

I think with the right people in place, this ridiculous, choke-hold-20 year plan can be undone.

8 minutes ago, neeray said:

 

What goes up, must come down.

What has been done can be undone.

Where there is the will, there is a way.

 

I think with the right people in place, this ridiculous, choke-hold-20 year plan can be undone.

Let's see. I think it is possible but huge personal sacrifice including that of life may have to be.

3 hours ago, YetAnother said:

made my day; maybe there is faint hope for this place

Having returned Happiness to the People and peace to the streets Prayuth can wait outside Prem's house for the upcoming vacancy of Father to the Nation.

And the rest can consider what to do with their spare time after all jobs are reserved for honest people with some competency.

Step One - no Army

Just afraid some schmuck is going to be offered a nice watch, house, business jet and car to vote junta for the good of the people.  Nice to see the rabble in red and FFP make stopping cha cha's reign of buffoonery and attitude adjustments the main priority.  Undoing his vision of Thailand will take years. 

4 hours ago, YetAnother said:

made my day; maybe there is faint hope for this place

There's only No hope & Bob hope... news flash Bob hope checked out of town !!!

5 minutes ago, yellowboat said:

Just afraid some schmuck is going to be offered a nice watch

There's enough watches to buy 24 schmucks, maybe even more. That's only allowing for the 2 dozen watches that became public knowledge.

The door has opened a crack for a legendary and selfless compromise.

Could it happen here?

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Bhumjaithai, meanwhile, has kept mum, saying it was listening to the voice of the people.

8 hours ago, webfact said:

There have been news reports that neither part was satisfied with the Cabinet seats offered them by the pro-junta camp. 

Says it all really. Why does it matter which cabinet seat you hold, since I thought all cabinet ministers receive the same fixed monthly salary. ????

In the new constitution, unlike the previous one, there is no deadline for electing a prime minister.

It means that, unless there is an anti-junta coalition of 376 MPs, the Senate can prevent any PM to be elected.

In this case, Prayuth remains in power and can govern with art.44.

So there will never two options:

- Prayuth remains as PM under Junta law

- some parties or MPs decide that it's better to have Prayuth as elected PM with constitutionally defined power, rather than Prayuth as PM with with autocratic power. And end up voting for him.

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Pheu Thai de facto leader Sudarat Keyuraphan

I see something wrong in this report... Thaksin is the de facto leader!

People who came to Thailand after 2006 didn't experience Thaksin as PM and don't know what a dishonest, xenophobic buffoon he was.  However, as bad as Thaksin was, Prayut is worse.  I never thought that I would say this, but I would actually welcome Thaksin's return if that's what it would take to get rid of the Junta.

 

3 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

Explain.

No workers party, no Socialist party, no Green party, no Labour party, no farmers party. So the voters had no real choice. All the leading parties have no capital gains tax, no property tax no inheritance tax and no real income tax that spreads the wealth amongst the people. 

There is no democracy in Thailand. You can't call the anti junta parties Democratic.

Let the bribery commence it will all end up a baht tussle as usual????

26 minutes ago, gamini said:

No workers party, no Socialist party, no Green party, no Labour party, no farmers party. So the voters had no real choice. All the leading parties have no capital gains tax, no property tax no inheritance tax and no real income tax that spreads the wealth amongst the people. 

There is no democracy in Thailand. You can't call the anti junta parties Democratic.

You probably need a pair of new glasses. There were Social Power Party, Thai Power Labour Party, Farmers Party, Citizen Party, Commoner's Party and even a LGBT party to spice things up. 77 political parties took part in the election and could be the showcase of democracy if not for the junta's audacious and corrupt rigging. So at the end of the day, it is clear that we have 2 sides; one that bent all the democratic rules and one that subscribed to democratic rules aka anti junta democratic coalition. 

 

I am still scratching my head as to reason you include those array of taxes and link them to democracy. Kind of monstrous diversion.  

Don't you love it how the "Anti Junta" crowd had just over the 250 required seats using the agreed upon formula, but after this agreed upon formula was revised (by the Junat appointed EC) over the last 6 weeks ago under what can be at best called very suspicious circumstances, lo and behold, the pro junta parties only have 245 seats. I mean, seriously? ????

5 hours ago, yellowboat said:

Just afraid some schmuck is going to be offered a nice watch, house, business jet and car to vote junta for the good of the people.  Nice to see the rabble in red and FFP make stopping cha cha's reign of buffoonery and attitude adjustments the main priority.  Undoing his vision of Thailand will take years. 

 

As opposed to some schmuck going to be offered a nice watch, house, business jet and car to vote PTP for the 'good of democracy 555!". And then watch as the puppet masters instigates vast scams and plans yet another self whitewash fiasco,

 

The independent parties need to remain independent, challenge whoever forms a government and act as parliamentary checks and balances. Not sell out to either side.

2 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

You probably need a pair of new glasses. There were Social Power Party, Thai Power Labour Party, Farmers Party, Citizen Party, Commoner's Party and even a LGBT party to spice things up. 77 political parties took part in the election and could be the showcase of democracy if not for the junta's audacious and corrupt rigging. So at the end of the day, it is clear that we have 2 sides; one that bent all the democratic rules and one that subscribed to democratic rules aka anti junta democratic coalition. 

 

I am still scratching my head as to reason you include those array of taxes and link them to democracy. Kind of monstrous diversion.  

 

Because democracy requires much more than a few feudal elite hiso families holding elections and vying for control of the trough.

 

Difficult for Easterners who've never experienced real democracy to appreciate that.

4 hours ago, SABloke said:

Says it all really. Why does it matter which cabinet seat you hold, since I thought all cabinet ministers receive the same fixed monthly salary. ????

 

Maybe some Ministers control bigger budgets, more complex checks, more importance, more "opportunity" etc etc etc