Pheu Thai party aims to win at least 250 House seats in next election

[webfact]

Party leader Chonlanan Srikaew

 

The opposition Pheu Thai party has set a target to win as many as 251 parliamentary seats in the next general election.

 

Party leader Chonlanan Srikaew said at the party’s general assembly, held today (Sunday) on the theme of “Landslide Pheu Thai for every Thai Citizen”, that the only way for the party to form the next government is to win a landslide victory.

 

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Chaikasem Nitisiri, former justice minister and a core member of the party, said that, although the Pheu Thai party won more seats in the House than any other single party in the last general election, it was unable to form a government due to a restriction in the Constitution.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/pheu-thai-party-aims-to-win-at-least-250-house-seats-in-next-election/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-04-25

 

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[RandiRona]

Well , wont make a dent as they have reserved 250 for army and elites.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

said that, although the Pheu Thai party won more seats in the House than any other single party in the last general election, it was unable to form a government due to a restriction in the Constitution.

And it will be rigged again next time.

[spidermike007]

Let us hope. Change is desperately needed. And the people despise the ruling party like never before, so it is possible. Unless the creeps decide to forego morality as usual, and rig the election, outlaw the opposition party once again, or pull some kind of thug stunt. Nothing is beyond these guys. 

 

 

 

[mtls2005]

Ambitious given their current position. They've also claimed they could get as many as 14 million votes, which is also a stretch.

 

They could probably form a coalition with something north of 175?

 

The Senate remains an obstacle to any real change.

 

Still amazing that, in other than Bangkok, the populace is not allowed to elect local officials, like governor. Those are appointed by the regime in Bangkok.

 

 

 

 

[Sydebolle]

"unable to form a government due to a restriction in the Constitution" - and what has changed since?

The longer the pressure is building up, the bigger the explosive bang will be and the bigger the collateral damage will be felt by ...... also those sitting snugly in their pre-assigned seats. The writing is on the wall, in big capital letters, waiting to be read by one and all.

[harada]

But have they got bigger guns than the current “government”. 

[SatEng]

It is very possible, likely even, that Pheu Thai and Move forward will command a majority in the lower house come the next election, unless there are moves to disband the parties prior to the election.

Both parties have to be careful with their rhetoric in the lead up to the election and after - no talk of amnesties for previous leaders, no falling foul of lese majeste rules.

This would make it much more difficult for the nationalists elements to find an excuse for blocking their prime minister candidates or fomenting reasons for another coup.

At the present time the populace , as far as I can ascertain, would not tolerate such moves and so both the opposition parties have to be disciplined and not give them any excuses

[sammieuk1]

Are they paying 400b per vote instead of the mandatory 300b ????

[Srikcir]

Realisticaly, the winning opposition party/coalition must win 385 House seats giving 51% of the House MP's to prevent default vote by jubta appointed Senate members and avoid an untenable constitional amendment to change Senate vote attempt that requires majority vote of the Senate. 

It's a Catch-22.

Never say Never 8s the saying.

But unless the pro-military coalition self destructs politically ( which did happen in the last election to the Democrat Party), the odds are highly unlikely the winning opposition can take control of the Prayut government, ie., through a peaceful transfer of power, with anything less than 385 House seats

[law ling]

Good luck to them.

 

Even if:

- the election is fee and fair, and

- the people do want change,

it's still a big task, with the junta having a 250-vote head-start.

[herfiehandbag]

16 minutes ago, SatEng said:

It is very possible, likely even, that Pheu Thai and Move forward will command a majority in the lower house come the next election, unless there are moves to disband the parties prior to the election.

Both parties have to be careful with their rhetoric in the lead up to the election and after - no talk of amnesties for previous leaders, no falling foul of lese majeste rules.

This would make it much more difficult for the nationalists elements to find an excuse for blocking their prime minister candidates or fomenting reasons for another coup.

At the present time the populace , as far as I can ascertain, would not tolerate such moves and so both the opposition parties have to be disciplined and not give them any excuses

Oh but they will try - cheating into government is in their DNA, besides they are born to rule.

 

They will use all the tricks in the book, and no doubt come up with some more to keep power.

[mtls2005]

24 minutes ago, SatEng said:

unless there are moves to disband the parties prior to the election.

Or during or after the "election".

 

 

The "dirt", or the perception of dirt, has already been accumulated.

 

It is so very easy to target either/both individuals and entire parties if you own the mechanisms and the unlimited resources of the State: ISOC, police, courts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Thailand]

And guess who will be in power after the free and fair election?

Nothing will change apart from the pm and a couple of other valuable positions in government.

 

[Callmeishmael]

I would bet that one of the opposition parties will be disbanded for the usual reason, but not until after the election registration deadline, so that party will be out of the running entirely. 

 

Future Forward would probably be an easier target, but Pheu Thai might actually be more of a threat to the PTB!

[SatEng]

53 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

Realisticaly, the winning opposition party/coalition must win 385 House seats giving 51% of the House MP's to prevent default vote by jubta appointed Senate members and avoid an untenable constitional amendment to change Senate vote attempt that requires majority vote of the Senate. 

It's a Catch-22.

Never say Never 8s the saying.

But unless the pro-military coalition self destructs politically ( which did happen in the last election to the Democrat Party), the odds are highly unlikely the winning opposition can take control of the Prayut government, ie., through a peaceful transfer of power, with anything less than 385 House seats

While you are correct with the 385 votes for a majority across the two houses, if the opposition gains a majority in the lower house it will be difficult for the senate to appoint a non-opposition PM as the opposition will also have the numbers to block it

The impasse would remain until the term limits for the current senators run out in 2024 and then there would be the a national debate on the new ones to be appointed - currently the ability to appoint senators resides with the Thai military which would be very contentious if they have lost the majority at the election- I expect the nationalists would then try to block any senate appointments to allow the current senators to continue, but there would be increasing frustration from the populace at such delaying tactics 

[Eric Loh]

24 minutes ago, SatEng said:

While you are correct with the 385 votes for a majority across the two houses, if the opposition gains a majority in the lower house it will be difficult for the senate to appoint a non-opposition PM as the opposition will also have the numbers to block it

The impasse would remain until the term limits for the current senators run out in 2024 and then there would be the a national debate on the new ones to be appointed - currently the ability to appoint senators resides with the Thai military which would be very contentious if they have lost the majority at the election- I expect the nationalists would then try to block any senate appointments to allow the current senators to continue, but there would be increasing frustration from the populace at such delaying tactics 

Good points. My thinking is that should Phue Thai and allies have the mojority to form the government, the upper house may be not have the impertus to select Prayut even if they have the majority across the 2 houses. The lower house with their House Speaker will simply call for a motion of no confidence and they will have the majority votes. Prayut will be toast if PPRP can't form the government. They may go to bed with Pheu Thai but can't see Prayut in any outcome. 

[SomchaiCNX]

Isn't it cheaper to buy 1000 bullets ? More than half of the opposition is as rotten as those of the coalition.

[OneMoreFarang]

How do they want to do that?

Let's not forget that the guy who established that party is a wanted fugitive criminal.

And that criminal said many many times that he has nothing to do with Thai politics anymore.

And then many many times he tells PT and PT members what to do.

And now they think about having one of the fugitive's family members run for PM again.

So their platform was and is: Thaksin and the Shinawatras, nothing more and nothing less.

And lots of people still vote for that criminal family. Amazing Thailand.

 

[SunnyinBangrak]

On the subject of electoral integrity, does anybody know if Thailand requires official photo ID to register to vote? Is voting limited to Thai citizens? Does the Thai voting authorities hand count the ballots with observers permitted, or use vote counting machines owned by supporters of Prayuth and which is illegal to question the validity or ask for an audit? 

 Prayuth will be aware that just "winning" an election is not sufficient. He must win what is clearly a free and fair election, which means the result is able to withstand scrutiny. Otherwise other than fans of the government, nobody will believe the results which leads to a highly divided society and the need for ever more draconian censorship and an end to the concept of democracy. Which is a major failure if it comes to that.

[mtls2005]

1 hour ago, SatEng said:

currently the ability to appoint senators resides with the Thai military

 

I think we're just considering the lower house?

 

But yes, you point a potential for a "stalemate" not covered in the constitution du jour, which might be decided by the Constitutional Court, or lead to "conflict"?

 

 

Regarding the selection or appointment of Senators, that is side-stepped in Sec. 107 of the constitution, as are so many things here, with reference to a separate "organic law".

 

" to enable the selection among themselves to proceed honestly and justly, shall be in accordance with the Organic Act on Installation of Senators."

 

I think that law stipulated that the NCPO effectively selected the selectors. I am under the impression that the royal thai army, oddly, now selects the selectors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[candide]

24 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

On the subject of electoral integrity, does anybody know if Thailand requires official photo ID to register to vote? Is voting limited to Thai citizens? Does the Thai voting authorities hand count the ballots with observers permitted, or use vote counting machines owned by supporters of Prayuth and which is illegal to question the validity or ask for an audit? 

 Prayuth will be aware that just "winning" an election is not sufficient. He must win what is clearly a free and fair election, which means the result is able to withstand scrutiny. Otherwise other than fans of the government, nobody will believe the results which leads to a highly divided society and the need for ever more draconian censorship and an end to the concept of democracy. Which is a major failure if it comes to that.

There was not much integrity during the previous elections. It did not seem to bother them.

[NoshowJones]

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

And it will be rigged again next time.

Imagine the Phei Thai party in power in the near future. Some power mad general will see what a coup has done for the present unelected PM, and how richer he has become, and the same will keep happening again as what has repeatedly happened since the 1930's, coup after coup after coup. This is Thailand.

[hotchilli]

15 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

Imagine the Phei Thai party in power in the near future. Some power mad general will see what a coup has done for the present unelected PM, and how richer he has become, and the same will keep happening again as what has repeatedly happened since the 1930's, coup after coup after coup. This is Thailand.

Indeed, this IS Thailand.

Not to be confused with any other country, you either love it or stay away from it.

The countries culture and history, along with it's system of governance with corruption and monopolies are here to stay.

Money rules, as it comes with status and power...

No matter who is PM it will remain the same.

 

[MrMojoRisin]

48 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

How do they want to do that?

Let's not forget that the guy who established that party is a wanted fugitive criminal.

And that criminal said many many times that he has nothing to do with Thai politics anymore.

And then many many times he tells PT and PT members what to do.

And now they think about having one of the fugitive's family members run for PM again.

So their platform was and is: Thaksin and the Shinawatras, nothing more and nothing less.

And lots of people still vote for that criminal family. Amazing Thailand.

 

Let the people choose their own government. Why do you have a problem with this. I know it will come as a surprise to you to discover that very few people, be they Thais or foreigners, are as gullible as you appear to be when it comes to seeing through anti-democratic fascist propaganda. It is truly amazing that after nearly 20 years of elected governments being overthrown by armed kleptocrats that there are still individuals out there that continue to hold such inaccurate, inhuman, unintelligent and repulsive views towards democracy and simple human decency as you do. 

[NoshowJones]

11 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Indeed, this IS Thailand.

Not to be confused with any other country, you either love it or stay away from it.

The countries culture and history, along with it's system of governance with corruption and monopolies are here to stay.

Money rules, as it comes with status and power...

No matter who is PM it will remain the same.

 

"No matter who is PM it will remain the same." Yes, money will always rule, also, I think there may be a big difference between a soldier PM and a PM who is well educated and a proper politician.

[Eric Loh]

44 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

Imagine the Phei Thai party in power in the near future. Some power mad general will see what a coup has done for the present unelected PM, and how richer he has become, and the same will keep happening again as what has repeatedly happened since the 1930's, coup after coup after coup. This is Thailand.

The perpetractors of the last 2 coups have since passed. The 3 Ps generals in last 2 coups and the silent coup acted on orders. They since have lost any direct command of the military plus the fact that they have well passed their prime to be involved in a coup. It will take time for any military leader to accumulate power and get support from the highest institution. Thailand should have some peace from coups at least for a long while. My 2 cents. 

[OneMoreFarang]

59 minutes ago, MrMojoRisin said:

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

How do they want to do that?

Let's not forget that the guy who established that party is a wanted fugitive criminal.

And that criminal said many many times that he has nothing to do with Thai politics anymore.

And then many many times he tells PT and PT members what to do.

And now they think about having one of the fugitive's family members run for PM again.

So their platform was and is: Thaksin and the Shinawatras, nothing more and nothing less.

And lots of people still vote for that criminal family. Amazing Thailand.

 

Expand  

Let the people choose their own government. Why do you have a problem with this. I know it will come as a surprise to you to discover that very few people, be they Thais or foreigners, are as gullible as you appear to be when it comes to seeing through anti-democratic fascist propaganda. It is truly amazing that after nearly 20 years of elected governments being overthrown by armed kleptocrats that there are still individuals out there that continue to hold such inaccurate, inhuman, unintelligent and repulsive views towards democracy and simple human decency as you do. 

Please tell me which part of what I wrote is inaccurate, inhuman, unintelligent and repulsive views towards democracy?

Is Thaksin the leader of PT? Yes

Does everybody in that party do what he wants or else? Yes

Is he a criminal? Yes

Are other members of his family criminals? Yes

Did he say many times that he does have nothing to do with Thai politics anymore? Yes

Does he meddle all the time in Thai politics? Yes

Is now one more Shinawatra, this time one of his daughters, on the way to become Thai PM candidate and does what her father tells her to do? Yes

If you pay attention all that should not be news for you.

Will any country prosper if a criminal family rules it? No

Is it smart to vote for a criminal family and hope for an honest government? No

 

It would be wonderful if one day the majority of Thai voters engage their brain and vote for honest competent politicians. Unfortunately this seems to be a dream which won't come true anytime soon.

 

[NoshowJones]

2 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

The perpetractors of the last 2 coups have since passed. The 3 Ps generals in last 2 coups and the silent coup acted on orders. They since have lost any direct command of the military plus the fact that they have well passed their prime to be involved in a coup. It will take time for any military leader to accumulate power and get support from the highest institution. Thailand should have some peace from coups at least for a long while. My 2 cents. 

How long is a long while? When certain soldiers smell power, control and money, it won't take that long. They have the guns, the politicians don't.

[Eric Loh]

37 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

How long is a long while? When certain soldiers smell power, control and money, it won't take that long. They have the guns, the politicians don't.

Generals don't stage coups in isolation in Thailand's history even if they power crazed. No form of government can be formed without royal endorsement in Thailand.