Fireworks explode over the Democracy Monument during a demonstration calling for the resignation of Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha over the government’s handling of the Covid-19 coronavirus crisis in Bangkok on August 28, 2021. (Photo by Jack TAYLOR / AFP)

 

By Tulsathit Taptim

 

Thaksin Shinawatra is trying to get back on stage, whereas Move Forward is struggling to stay on it. Will Prayut Chan-o-cha dissolve the House of Representatives and/or join a new party? What about some sex scandals rocking the new generation of anti-establishment activists? Popular ex-monks who were supposed to turn up the heat on the government after shedding yellow saffron and enjoying freer speeches are doing the exact opposite.

 

Thai politics is highly fluid at the moment, and more so every passing day. Everyone is buoyed by some good news but coping with bad ones, too. Pheu Thai could not be totally uplifted by the recent by-election win in Bangkok’s Constituency 9 because the party and its “frenemy” ally Move Forward failed to achieve a “landslide” despite Palang Pracharath’s rock-bottom popularity crisis and problems besieging Prayut. The other side, meanwhile, is rattled by open and secretive conflicts as well as unity issues, some big enough to sink the coalition.

 

Everything is intertwined. Thaksin trying to force his way back can affect Pheu Thai negatively, putting the party on the brink of being deemed controllable externally. The return to the two-ballot electoral system, however, can benefit the biggest opposition party, largely at the expense of Move Forward. Frequent collapses of parliamentary quorums are threatening not only the government coalition, but also the fragile relationship between Move Forward and Pheu Thai. This is not to mention the Bangkok gubernatorial election a few months away that could severe significant ties on both sides of the national divide.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/political-melting-pot-just-gets-hotter/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-02-18

 

- Aetna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

- Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

I love a melting pot... it's always the excitement of not knowing what's going to fall out the bottom of it.

A melting pot of conspiracy theories.

Consider this article nonsense.

Waste of space. We’ll never know what is truly going on.