Thai political parties resist joining Pheu Thai-led coalition

[webfact]

The political landscape in Thailand recently witnessed a dramatic event as Bhumjaithai, United Thai Nation, the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), and Chartthaipattana took a united stance against joining a Pheu Thai-led coalition. Their refusal hinged on one critical determinant – the participation of the Move Forward Party (MFP) in the coalition.

 

Bhumjaithai’s leading figure, Anutin Charnvirakul, revealed the party’s solid resistance to any attempts to revise Section 112, which pertains to the lese majeste law. He explicitly stated that his party is unable to join forces with any political group that champions alterations to this particular law. Crucially, while there hasn’t been any invitation from Pheu Thai to be a part of the coalition, Anutin mentioned that including MFP in the alliance would indeed be a deal-breaker.

 

” The MFP is the only party that seeks to amend the law and doesn’t appear to be backing down. The party heavyweights, the Progressive Movement and their supporters are adamant on pushing this policy through despite objections, although it is causing divisiveness,” he elaborated.

United Thai Nation’s chief, Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, took to social media to share his party’s perspective. Via a Facebook post, he stated that the party would neither support the coalition nor vote favourably for a prime ministerial candidate associated with a potential MFP-inclusive alliance.

 

by Mitch Connor

Top photo: Supporters of the Move Forward Party gather at Democracy Monument during a protest in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, July 19. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thai-political-parties-resist-joining-pheu-thai-led-coalition

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-07-22

 

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[JoePai]

seeks to amend the law and doesn’t appear to be backing down

 

and why should they, it needs changing and that's what they were elected for

[Eric Loh]

Reading the tea leaves, the non invite snub by the pro-democracy coalition seem to indicate that PTP is confident of their chances this Thursday. The junta parties may not join the coalition but their MPs may break ranks. Lots of pressure on lawmakers to conclude this impasse for a new government on the eve of the King’s birthday and his speech. Also pressures from business leaders for a speedy formation of the new government in current economic slump.

 

Most BJT leaders are former TRT under Thaksin and will provide a good communication channel for backroom deals. Shin is an elite family and have ties with some senators and military leaders.

Prawit has been conciliatory towards the continuing cycle of coups. He can influence some senators if there is something for him. I till think the pro-democracy coalition will be intact and new government under PTP by Thursday. 

[bamnutsak]

A Constitutional Crisis will not make an acceptable Birthday Present.

 

Pressure will be brought to bear for a workable solution on Thursday.

 

They can't leave that session without a government.

 

Sheesh even Hun Sen can decree a new government, while Thailand squabbles about how to ignore the will of the people.

 

 

[mfd101]

So the choice begins to look like this: EITHER PTP for PM & leads a new government but without MFP participation OR Prawit sleeps his way thru the muddle (woops, middle).

 

Meantime, MFP/Pita now playing the long game - thru to May next year & whenever the next election is (probably long before the scheduled 4 years mark).

[bamnutsak]

4 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

Meantime, MFP/Pita now playing the long game - thru to May next year

The MFP will be disbanded long before then, with members subject to 10 year - lifetime bans. Some will be jailed for 112/116 charges.

[mfd101]

4 minutes ago, bamnutsak said:

The MFP will be disbanded long before then, with members subject to 10 year - lifetime bans. Some will be jailed for 112/116 charges.

So MFP will have a successor party by another name ...

[sungod]

58 minutes ago, bamnutsak said:

Sheesh even Hun Sen can decree a new government, while Thailand squabbles about how to ignore the will of the people.

 

A little easier to be fair when there is only 1 party.

[tomacht8]

The old junta parties have been voted out by the Thais with a clear majority. Now they are only bad losers and block any change

although the election winners have a 2/3 majority in Parliament.

It is precisely this blocking strategy that the pro-democracy coalition should pursue until end of May 2024 when a new Senate will be appointed with a new selection process. 

[pomchop]

Not to say anything forbidden but curious if the King himself has a position on the proposal to change the laws re insulting the monarchy? 

 

Didn't his dad pardon several people who had been jailed saying it didn't bother him?

[tomacht8]

59 minutes ago, bamnutsak said:

The MFP will be disbanded long before then, with members subject to 10 year - lifetime bans. Some will be jailed for 112/116 charges.

That's what needs to be modernized. Mitigation of the extremely harsh penalties and that this law can not be abused to eliminate political opponents. A reform proposal is by no means automatically an insult.

Edited July 22, 2023 by tomacht8

[hughrection]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Bhumjaithai, United Thai Nation, the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), and Chartthaipattana took a united stance against joining a Pheu Thai-led coalition. Their refusal hinged on one critical determinant – the participation of the Move Forward Party (MFP) in the coalition.

and they will suffer badly for this stance in the next election. Assuming the 'election' isn't rigged.

[smedly]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Bhumjaithai’s leading figure, Anutin Charnvirakul

did you get an invite to join ?, I'd be highly surprized if you did

[kingstonkid]

4 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

Reading the tea leaves, the non invite snub by the pro-democracy coalition seem to indicate that PTP is confident of their chances this Thursday. The junta parties may not join the coalition but their MPs may break ranks. Lots of pressure on lawmakers to conclude this impasse for a new government on the eve of the King’s birthday and his speech. Also pressures from business leaders for a speedy formation of the new government in current economic slump.

 

Most BJT leaders are former TRT under Thaksin and will provide a good communication channel for backroom deals. Shin is an elite family and have ties with some senators and military leaders.

Prawit has been conciliatory towards the continuing cycle of coups. He can influence some senators if there is something for him. I till think the pro-democracy coalition will be intact and new government under PTP by Thursday. 

But it was those same leaders and military men that have ousted the PT every time it came to power.  Not sure how much they trust him or he them.  Also consider that most of the money people in control were in control when he was found guilty.

 

I am still convinced that 112 is a smoke screen. It is simply the military and powers that be do not want to lose control.

 

Just as with anything the only way 112 or any laws can be changed is if there is a vote in the house and a majority vote yes. 

 

If they have the power and control then the military should feel safe or is it that they do not trust the PT?  If that is the case there really is  nothing next year stopping PT for putting the motion on the books and having a vote.  

Edited July 22, 2023 by kingstonkid

[kingstonkid]

1 hour ago, hughrection said:

and they will suffer badly for this stance in the next election. Assuming the 'election' isn't rigged.

Not really if you take a look the reason that they survive is that they have little pockets where their money works and they can maintain control.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The political landscape in Thailand recently witnessed a dramatic event as Bhumjaithai, United Thai Nation, the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), and Chartthaipattana took a united stance against joining a Pheu Thai-led coalition. Their refusal hinged on one critical determinant – the participation of the Move Forward Party (MFP) in the coalition.

And there you have it, remove MFP and they would join in a heartbeat.

The old elite back in power.

[Brickleberry]

All political decisions cause divisiveness Anutin. Some will agree with you, and others won't.

If you're only saying no because of this, then you need to get out of politics, because i'm afraid that that is the nature of the game.

[tomacht8]

3 hours ago, kingstonkid said:

But it was those same leaders and military men that have ousted the PT every time it came to power.  Not sure how much they trust him or he them.  Also consider that most of the money people in control were in control when he was found guilty.

 

I am still convinced that 112 is a smoke screen. It is simply the military and powers that be do not want to lose control.

 

Just as with anything the only way 112 or any laws can be changed is if there is a vote in the house and a majority vote yes. 

 

If they have the power and control then the military should feel safe or is it that they do not trust the PT?  If that is the case there really is  nothing next year stopping PT for putting the motion on the books and having a vote.  

I think so too. 112 is just artificially inflated. The great fear of the old guard is, that suddenly clean people will come and check their wealth, finances, income, tax returns, real estate, accounts, foreign assets, share packages, etc. for unusual or inexplicable wealth and plausibility.

 

Furthermore the abolition of compulsory military service would also mean very large financial losses for this clientele.

Edited July 22, 2023 by tomacht8

[Enoon]

5 hours ago, pomchop said:

Not to say anything forbidden but curious if the King himself has a position on the proposal to change the laws re insulting the monarchy? 

 

Didn't his dad pardon several people who had been jailed saying it didn't bother him?

King Rama IX made his position clear, on the occasion of his 78th birthday, in 2005, in Thailand, in public:

 

“When you say the king can do no wrong, it is wrong …I want them to criticise because, whatever I do, I want to know whether people agree or disagree.” He went on: “If you say the king cannot be criticised, it means the king is not human. I am also afraid, if you say you cannot criticise, it means the king is not good.”

 

https://www.ft.com/content/f3ad24f4-b305-11e0-86b8-00144feabdc0

 

Edited July 22, 2023 by Enoon

[ikke1959]

7 hours ago, pomchop said:

Not to say anything forbidden but curious if the King himself has a position on the proposal to change the laws re insulting the monarchy? 

 

Didn't his dad pardon several people who had been jailed saying it didn't bother him?

It is Prayuth and his cronies who are harsh with section 112 to control the rallies after bannin Mr Thanathorn ande Future Forward party... He and this Government are the only ones to blame that there is a call form reform section 112. Because it is not normal that kids of 14 -18 years are being jailed for this law.. As last week another boy now 19 years old is jailed for section112 for 3 years ago. It shows that this kind of abuse of section112 should be stopped

[damian]

4 hours ago, Enoon said:

King Rama IX made his position clear, on the occasion of his 78th birthday, in 2005, in Thailand, in public:

 

“When you say the king can do no wrong, it is wrong …I want them to criticise because, whatever I do, I want to know whether people agree or disagree.” He went on: “If you say the king cannot be criticised, it means the king is not human. I am also afraid, if you say you cannot criticise, it means the king is not good.”

 

https://www.ft.com/content/f3ad24f4-b305-11e0-86b8-00144feabdc0

 

Technically not following the kings advice in this regard could be considered a breach of 112. 

[lordgrinz]

I wouldn't spit on Anuntin if he was on fire, relegate him to the dustbin of history.

[kingstonkid]

On 7/23/2023 at 12:05 AM, lordgrinz said:

I wouldn't spit on Anuntin if he was on fire, relegate him to the dustbin of history.

The funny thing is anutin has no power he is just the puppet dancing to the strings of the master.