Pro-army party in Thailand to cement deal to keep junta leader as PM - lawmaker

By Panarat Thepgumpanat and Patpicha Tanakasempipat

 

 

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha speaks to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (not pictured) during their meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China, April 26, 2019. Parker Song/Pool via REUTERS

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - A pro-army party in Thailand hopes to make a deal on Monday to gain enough parliamentary seats to keep the leader of the military junta in power as elected prime minister, a lawmaker who is a board member of the party told Reuters.

 

The deal would spell an end to opposition hopes of keeping the military out of politics five years after the then army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha seized power from an elected government.

 

The Palang Pracharat party had contested the March 24 election on a platform of keeping Prayuth as prime minister.

 

Puttipong Punnakanta, one of Palang Pracharat's board members and a member of parliament, told Reuters the party - which gained the second-largest number of seats in the election - would formally invite two other parties, the Democrats and Bhumjaithai, to join in a coalition government.

 

"We will invite the two parties tomorrow. It's certain that we will be forming a coalition government, with at least 251 seats and more," he said. "We will see Prayuth Chan-ocha as prime minister next month."

 

The opposition Pheu Thai party, which was ousted from power in 2014, won the most seats in the 500-member House of Representatives in the March election, but its Democratic Front coalition did not gain a majority when final results were announced.

 

The Democratic Front has complained that the Election Commission changed a complex formula of seat allocation after the vote, gaving seats to 11 small parties at the expense of a projected opposition majority under the old formula.

 

Palang Pracharat leader Uttama Saovanayana said in a Facebook post on Sunday night that the party is to make a formal invitation to the Democrats and Bhumjaithai on Monday.

 

The two parties' seats would give the pro-army coalition a slim majority in the House.

 

The Democrat's deputy leader, Nipit Intarasombat, told Reuters the party would meet to discuss the invitation and had not yet made a decision.

 

"However, we have previously engaged in discussions with Palang Pracharat at times, which is a good sign pointing to the likelihood that we will join the coalition," Nipit said.

 

Asked on Saturday whether his party will join Palang Pracharat, Bhumjaithai party leader Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters he had decided but did not elaborate.

 

(Writing by Kay Johnson; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky and David Holmes)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-05-27

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They voted for junta allies under the false pretence of democracy knowing full well the democratic party always was just another branch of the junta.

And the Democratic party wonder why they can never win an election and never will.

 

Now it's time for the opposition parties to make Prayuth perform, hold him accountable without his protection of art 44 and a few charges of dereliction of duty to wipe that ugly smirk of his face

Edited May 26, 20197 yr by Reigntax

32 minutes ago, webfact said:

as elected prime minister,

total thai bs

33 minutes ago, webfact said:

A pro-army party in Thailand hopes to make a deal on Monday to gain enough parliamentary seats to keep the leader of the military junta in power as elected prime minister

What a development; basically no one predicted this! (insert sarcastic emoji of your choice here)

Edited May 26, 20197 yr by taichiplanet

52 minutes ago, webfact said:

The deal would spell an end to opposition hopes of keeping the military out of politics

then thailand is truly hopeless

Good job.  Khun Prayuth Chan O Cha has done alot over the past 4 years with numerous projects being fast tracked and many in tender phase.

More infrustructure being constructed now than what has been done in the last ten years.

BTS extension, airport rail link, china-thai HSRP, DonMuang,BKK,Utopia HSRL, Northern Thailand Highway expansion, Phitsanulok-Indo China Multi highway upgrade.

Official statistics recently released by the Ministry of Finance of Thailand indicate that the Thai economy performed substantially better during the first quarter.

GDP growth in the first quarter of this year reached 4.8 percent, which is the highest in 5 years.  This has in part been fueled by a strong 6 percent rise in the export of goods and services as well as an increase in both private sector and public sector investment, registering 3.1 percent and 4 percent respectively. The Ministry of Commerce also announced that Thai exports grew by 11 percent, which is the highest rate in 7 years.

Various international institutions share the same positive outlook on Thailand. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that the kingdom’s strong growth is expected to continue well into 2019. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) recently revised upwards its projected growth estimates for Thailand, the only country in Southeast Asia to receive this distinction.

 

 

 

I dont see this as a total failure. It will be good to see Prayuth in this unfriendly environment, surrounded by old style politicians and having his views discussed and trashed. This will be a very uncomfortable exercise for him, questioned, laughed at and fighting for survival rather than being a total dictator. How long before he blows up?

Within Thailand it really makes no difference,but the global optics are very damaging..

Edited May 26, 20197 yr by mok199

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The Democrat's deputy leader, Nipit Intarasombat, told Reuters the party would meet to discuss the invitation and had not yet made a decision.

 

"However, we have previously engaged in discussions with Palang Pracharat at times, which is a good sign pointing to the likelihood that we will join the coalition," Nipit said.

 

Is Nipit another name for squid? If they join them they have zero credibility and they should never be able to use the word democratic in their sentences.

56 minutes ago, YetAnother said:

total thai bs

Why did you not capitalize the two letters? 

34 minutes ago, steven100 said:

Good job.  Khun Prayuth Chan O Cha has done alot over the past 4 years with numerous projects being fast tracked and many in tender phase.

More infrustructure being constructed now than what has been done in the last ten years.

BTS extension, airport rail link, china-thai HSRP, DonMuang,BKK,Utopia HSRL, Northern Thailand Highway expansion, Phitsanulok-Indo China Multi highway upgrade.

Official statistics recently released by the Ministry of Finance of Thailand indicate that the Thai economy performed substantially better during the first quarter.

GDP growth in the first quarter of this year reached 4.8 percent, which is the highest in 5 years.  This has in part been fueled by a strong 6 percent rise in the export of goods and services as well as an increase in both private sector and public sector investment, registering 3.1 percent and 4 percent respectively. The Ministry of Commerce also announced that Thai exports grew by 11 percent, which is the highest rate in 7 years.

Various international institutions share the same positive outlook on Thailand. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that the kingdom’s strong growth is expected to continue well into 2019. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) recently revised upwards its projected growth estimates for Thailand, the only country in Southeast Asia to receive this distinction.

 

 

 

Just keep believing yourself and someday you will win the lottery too. They rigged and stole the election and there was nothing to true or honest winning it. 

3 minutes ago, holy cow cm said:

Just keep believing yourself and someday you will win the lottery too. They rigged and stole the election and there was nothing to true or honest winning it. 

so you disagree with the facts that Thailand's economy is doing better now than before Khun Prayuth Chan O Cha became PM.

 

 

 

Edited May 26, 20197 yr by steven100

6 minutes ago, steven100 said:

so you disagree with the facts that Thailand's economy is doing better now than before Khun Prayuth Chan O Cha became PM.

 

 

 

Ask a Thai if they think the economy is better. 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The Democratic Front has complained that the Election Commission changed a complex formula of seat allocation after the vote, gaving seats to 11 small parties at the expense of a projected opposition majority under the old formula.

So they saw they weren't going to win so they changed the rules after the election so the would win. Democracy junta style.

Are the headlines really a warning  to Future Forward and others ? I mean "cement a deal" could be a message, given as some people who opposed the Junta found recently in the Mekong with their bodies having concrete in them.

 

Is this a subliminal warning not to interfere in the Junta corrupt activities or the same could happen to them ?

Edited May 27, 20197 yr by geoffbezoz

1 hour ago, steven100 said:

Official statistics recently released by the Ministry of Finance of Thailand indicate that the Thai economy performed substantially better during the first quarter.

GDP growth in the first quarter of this year reached 4.8 percent, which is the highest in 5 years

Got a reference for that as it does not seem to match this article here - 

https://in.reuters.com/article/thailand-economy-gdp-idINKCN1SR0BZ

Quote

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand’s economy grew at its slowest pace in more than four years in the first quarter, and by less than expected, hurt by a drop in exports and public investment.

 

New title is necessary: Enlightened Leader.

1 hour ago, steven100 said:

Good job.  Khun Prayuth Chan O Cha has done alot over the past 4 years with numerous projects being fast tracked and many in tender phase.

More infrustructure being constructed now than what has been done in the last ten years.

BTS extension, airport rail link, china-thai HSRP, DonMuang,BKK,Utopia HSRL, Northern Thailand Highway expansion, Phitsanulok-Indo China Multi highway upgrade.

Official statistics recently released by the Ministry of Finance of Thailand indicate that the Thai economy performed substantially better during the first quarter.

GDP growth in the first quarter of this year reached 4.8 percent, which is the highest in 5 years.  This has in part been fueled by a strong 6 percent rise in the export of goods and services as well as an increase in both private sector and public sector investment, registering 3.1 percent and 4 percent respectively. The Ministry of Commerce also announced that Thai exports grew by 11 percent, which is the highest rate in 7 years.

Various international institutions share the same positive outlook on Thailand. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that the kingdom’s strong growth is expected to continue well into 2019. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) recently revised upwards its projected growth estimates for Thailand, the only country in Southeast Asia to receive this distinction.

 

 

 

I presume this is a sarcastic comment!!??? The projected growth, exports, tourism et. all, go up and down like whores drawers!!????????????

1 hour ago, steven100 said:

so you disagree with the facts that Thailand's economy is doing better now than before Khun Prayuth Chan O Cha became PM.

 

 

 

Absolutely I disagree that the self appointed Prayuth uplifted any part of the economy in Thailand and actually had a real idea of his own having the accomplishments the Junta is moving forward with that you mentioned. These were all Thaksin plans and ideas. And don't get me wrong as I am not a fan of Thaksin who is the lesser of the two evils. Thaksin was a threat to the military and old school elite and was not perhaps so kind to expats as well.

1 hour ago, steven100 said:

so you disagree with the facts that Thailand's economy is doing better now than before Khun Prayuth Chan O Cha became PM.

 

 

 

It's not what statistics show (see GDP growth charts). Additionally, since the coup, Thailand has underperformed compared to comparable Asian countries.

So obviously, you disagree with statistics.

Surprise, surprise, surprise. The party that got the most votes forms a coalition.

2 hours ago, steven100 said:

Good job.  Khun Prayuth Chan O Cha has done alot over the past 4 years with numerous projects being fast tracked and many in tender phase.

More infrustructure being constructed now than what has been done in the last ten years.

BTS extension, airport rail link, china-thai HSRP, DonMuang,BKK,Utopia HSRL, Northern Thailand Highway expansion, Phitsanulok-Indo China Multi highway upgrade.

Official statistics recently released by the Ministry of Finance of Thailand indicate that the Thai economy performed substantially better during the first quarter.

GDP growth in the first quarter of this year reached 4.8 percent, which is the highest in 5 years.  This has in part been fueled by a strong 6 percent rise in the export of goods and services as well as an increase in both private sector and public sector investment, registering 3.1 percent and 4 percent respectively. The Ministry of Commerce also announced that Thai exports grew by 11 percent, which is the highest rate in 7 years.

Various international institutions share the same positive outlook on Thailand. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that the kingdom’s strong growth is expected to continue well into 2019. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) recently revised upwards its projected growth estimates for Thailand, the only country in Southeast Asia to receive this distinction.

 

 

 

They don't have cars, or fly but use buses/vans when they can afford to go somewhere; so how does all this help Joe Blow  Thai in Ayutthaya, Steven?

Hard to believe anyone ever thought that the dems and BJP would not roll over to the military.

Hopefully this will be remembered by the Thai's in the future.

 

And as for Prayuth dealing with laughter and derision, don't be surprised to see a new "article 44" of some sort to ensure the men with the guns retain absolute power.

9 minutes ago, Ozman52 said:

Surprise, surprise, surprise. The party that got the most votes forms a coalition.

1. Due to several various ways this election has been rigged, it not proven that they truely had more vote. It's just a question of faith or not in the puppet EC.

2. In the Thai system, as In other parliamentary systems, it's the party with most MPs who's supposed to form a government.

1 hour ago, dinsdale said:

Ask a Thai if they think the economy is better. 

And what about the pathetic money exchange rates for tourists and expats ??  Australian dollar down from 32 to 22 in 4 years. Pound down too. Too expensive to live in Thailand or go for a holiday.  Isn't tourism supposed to be about 12% of GDP ?

As predicted. The military Junta is here to stay. I'm only surprised that anybody even bothered to vote. 

9 minutes ago, steven100 said:

Oh .... good old democracy.  How the UK doing ,  oh but that's democracy.

How's Australia doing, almost technically in a recession , oh but that's democracy.   lol

 

If thats democracy, you can have it.

No, thanks. I want someone to tell me what to do and how to think while at the same time doing nothing for me and stealing my tax money to enrich themselves. I don't want to be able to vote them out. I don't want the right to criticize them, but if I do, I want to be imprisoned. I want them to spend money on tanks and guns. Not schools and hospitals. I want my dear leaders to be held accountable to no one. 

 

I want to live on my knees. ????????????

 

 

Edited May 27, 20197 yr by rkidlad

38 minutes ago, rkidlad said:

No, thanks. I want someone to tell me what to do and how to think while at the same time doing nothing for me and stealing my tax money to enrich themselves. I don't want to be able to vote them out. I don't want the right to criticize them, but if I do, I want to be imprisoned. I want them to spend money on tanks and guns. Not schools and hospitals. I want my dear leaders to be held accountable to no one. 

 

I want to live on my knees. 

 

 

Beautifully and powerfully said, Rkidlad (above). Brilliant!

Yes: I, too, want to be a serf and a slave. I want to be manacled in my thought processes and told who my betters are and how low I have to grovel and graap to them.

'FREEDOM - IS SLAVERY', after all.

Right on, Georgie Orwell, boy!

Let's cheer on the junta, Georgie!

(Oh sorry, George - I forgot that reading your great Nineteen Eighty-Four in public could get me arrested. I wonder why ....?).

 

 

 

Edited May 27, 20197 yr by Eligius

3 hours ago, Reigntax said:

They voted for junta allies under the false pretence of democracy knowing full well the democratic party always was just another branch of the junta.

And the Democratic party wonder why they can never win an election and never will.

 

Now it's time for the opposition parties to make Prayuth perform, hold him accountable without his protection of art 44 and a few charges of dereliction of duty to wipe that ugly smirk of his face

As far as opposition is concerned I hope you are right but with all the other army backing he has, I somehow doubt it.

3 hours ago, Reigntax said:

They voted for junta allies under the false pretence of democracy knowing full well the democratic party always was just another branch of the junta.

And the Democratic party wonder why they can never win an election and never will.

 

Now it's time for the opposition parties to make Prayuth perform, hold him accountable without his protection of art 44 and a few charges of dereliction of duty to wipe that ugly smirk of his face

It's only a question of MONEY , nothing else !!!!!