PM upholds status quo as he seeks a path back to power with the help of the Bhumjaithai Party

[webfact]

PM upholds status quo as he seeks a path back to power with the help of the Bhumjaithai Party
 

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha (left) this week moved to install the leader of the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party (RTSC) Mr Pirapan Salirathavibhaga as his Secretary-general in a move which signals he is moving cautiously towards his new political life but also maintaining the status quo of his government.

 

by Joseph O' Connor

Bizarre media coverage of Thailand’s political scene this week makes it look as if the chances of a possible alliance between the Bhumjaithai Party and current Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha is a path back to power for the PM.

Thailand appears to be heading for a General Election in May this year with the government likely now to serve its full terms as Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha appears determined to pursue his role in government as he tries to fashion some form of political alliance or network to return to power. The PM continues to stand aloof from party politics and is playing his last ace, the support of the upper house or Senate whose 250 members will, for the last time in 2023, have a say in electing the next prime minister.

 

There is, as yet, no defined agreement between the Bhumjaithai Party which welcomed 31 cobras or defectors into its ranks this week but which, according to recent opinion polls, only enjoys 2.3% public support nationwide, and the sitting prime minister, except for what is thought to be a surprisingly strong working relationship between General Prayut and his deputy Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul. 

 

An event was held to welcome new candidates, former or just resigned MPs, at Bhumjaithai Party headquarters in Bangkok this week in an area surrounded by cannabis plants in what can only be described as political theatre designed to bolster confidence in a possible alternative to a Pheu Thai Party government.

 

Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/12/18/pm-clinging-on-as-he-seeks-a-path-to-power/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-12-19

 

- Cigna 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.

 

Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

 

[RichardColeman]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand appears to be heading for a General Election in May this year with the government likely now to serve its full terms as Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha appears determined to pursue his role in government as he tries to fashion some form of political alliance or network to return to power.

I would sincerely like to congratulate Thailand on the creation of mass time travel 

[jacko45k]

Whatever you want
Whatever you like
Whatever you say
You pay your money
You take your choice

[Aussieroaming]

I guess that "back by popular demand" won't form part of his future political slogans. Another desperate despot who just can't let go of power. 

[stoner]

a clear indication of thailand.........this man was able to rise through the ranks of the thai system with many around him supporting his actions, 

 

and his sidekick little potato. how on earth did he manage to rise to that level of power over so many others he was with at the time. 

 

crazy this place. 

[Scouse123]

The levels they stoop to to keep their greasy mittens on power.

 

This was supposed to be a guy that was an unsung hero that didn't want the burden of responsibility of being PM but it was thrust upon him in Thailand's darkest hour and he only stepped forward as a ' matter of duty to the country '

 

What a load of bull.????

[Scouse123]

The guy has done nothing and achieved nothing after an illegal power grab in 2014.

 

The deluded clown actually thinks the people like him and Thailand needs him.

 

He needs his head testing.

[Scouse123]

58 minutes ago, stoner said:

a clear indication of thailand.........this man was able to rise through the ranks of the thai system with many around him supporting his actions, 

 

and his sidekick little potato. how on earth did he manage to rise to that level of power over so many others he was with at the time. 

 

crazy this place. 

The little fat dumpling can't even stand up unaided.

[Willy Wombat]

How much do you need to stuff your bank balance before it’s enough?

[MrJ2U]

Hopefully they'll be wiped out at the polling stations. 

 

Any rational Thai person I know cannot stand this completely corrupt and inept government. 

[MRToMRT]

Methinks the real game they are playing is a lot more sophisticated than this article would have us believe. 

[Purdey]

Not sure how many actually understand the reason he took power was to enable the transition of a subject not up for discussion on this forum.

I'm betting that the fragility of that estate is such that Prayut still believes he needs to be around to handle protests. He seems uninterested in more than that.

[lujanit]

17 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

The levels they stoop to to keep their greasy mittens on power.

Power is a powerful drug.  Once tasted you can't let go.  Payhoot has made up in his mind all sorts of illusions why Thailand needs him.

 

Anyway I read somewhere here that Anutin was after the top job.

[bamnutsak]

Anutin is rumored to have favorable reviews from the PtB.

 

Of course the same was said of Thaksin ca. late 1990's.

 

Any PM, other than Prayut/Prawit, will have to survive a viper pit challenge.

 

[HappyExpat57]

41 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

The guy has done nothing and achieved nothing after an illegal power grab in 2014.

 

The deluded clown actually thinks the people like him and Thailand needs him.

 

He needs his head testing.

Sumbitch never even gave us the soap operas he promised!

[HappyExpat57]

Well imagine my surprise.

[scorecard]

43 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

The little fat dumpling can't even stand up unaided.

Not appropriate. Many very successful high performance people world wide operate from a wheelchair. Didn't stop me from lecturing masters degree programs in 4 countries, with good reviews from students.

[kcpattaya]

It is hard to part from the grease train.
Greed took over from moral principles, 8 years ago already.

 

[spidermike007]

To think that this man, who possesses absolutely nothing in the way of leadership ability, said he only wanted to be a caretaker PM for 2 years. And now the power has created such thirst, such desperation, such megalomania, and such greed, that he cannot let it go. How power can transform a man. Not to mention the fortune one at the top of the TPPS (Thai power pyramid scheme) can earn. 

[JohnHans]

It's all about power and MONEY, I would prefer never to hear about "so called" political maneuverings as its sickening to hear all about these privileged greedy old selfish men.

[Scouse123]

41 minutes ago, scorecard said:

Not appropriate. Many very successful high performance people world wide operate from a wheelchair. Didn't stop me from lecturing masters degree programs in 4 countries, with good reviews from students.

Don't make this about you or disabled people, that's just being thin -skinned when you should know that wasn't meant.

 

The only reason he can't stand up is because he is grossly overweight through eating and short.

[HappyExpat57]

45 minutes ago, scorecard said:

Not appropriate. Many very successful high performance people world wide operate from a wheelchair. Didn't stop me from lecturing masters degree programs in 4 countries, with good reviews from students.

It's a joke! You've been on this forum far too long to be this sensitive.

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

The PM continues to stand aloof from party politics and is playing his last ace

He never had an "ace" he had military backing and took power by force.

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, stoner said:

a clear indication of thailand.........this man was able to rise through the ranks of the thai system with many around him supporting his actions, 

 

and his sidekick little potato. how on earth did he manage to rise to that level of power over so many others he was with at the time. 

 

crazy this place. 

Money buys everything.

[Venom]

4 hours ago, stoner said:

how on earth did he manage to rise to that level of power over so many others he was with at the time. 

It's the same everywhere, It's not about what you know, it's about who you know. 

 

 

[NoshowJones]

5 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

The guy has done nothing and achieved nothing after an illegal power grab in 2014.

 

The deluded clown actually thinks the people like him and Thailand needs him.

 

He needs his head testing.

I always wonder that why from 2014 up until now, the Baht has fallen from the fifties and stayed in the lower forties and even into the thirties against the GBP in all that time.

This unelected PM and his soldiers sure must be manipulating it in some way.

[PETERTHEEATER]

7 hours ago, stoner said:

..........and his sidekick little potato. how on earth did he manage to rise to that level of power over so many others he was with at the time. 

If a spherical gasbag if filled with hot air it will always try to rise.......????

[Sir Dude]

Typical fairyland stuff where the party in charge can't muster 2.5% of the public vote. Only in kangaroo land. The Thai public so needs to deliver a massive drubbing at the next election to these crooks and their puppet masters.

[zzaa09]

8 hours ago, stoner said:

a clear indication of thailand.........this man was able to rise through the ranks of the thai system with many around him supporting his actions, 

 

and his sidekick little potato. how on earth did he manage to rise to that level of power over so many others he was with at the time. 

 

crazy this place. 

This is how steeped and historic oligarchies work. As such has been in place forever. 

Incredibly difficult to break the conditioned habit. 

[bangon04]

6 hours ago, JohnHans said:

It's all about power and MONEY, I would prefer never to hear about "so called" political maneuverings as its sickening to hear all about these privileged greedy old selfish men.

well at least the Thai voter is not burdened with the need to understand and distinguish between the various political and economic policies of the many political parties and factions.........