Pheu Thai cruising toward power, but at what price?

[webfact]

 

Voters are now watching how the Pheu Thai Party goes about forming the new government after it parted ways with election-winner Move Forward, courted several conservative parties including Bhumjaithai, United Thai Nation and Palang Pracharath.

 

With serious political bargaining laid bare under the public gaze, netizens are crying foul over Pheu Thai’s recent moves. Many have declared they will certainly vote for Move Forward again, after witnessing what they perceive as Pheu Thai’s betrayal of the popular liberal party.

 

“But if you think the Pheu Thai Party will be driven to extinction, you are wrong,” said Stithorn Thananithichot, director of the Office of Innovation for Democracy at King Prajadhipok’s Institute.

 

 Pheu Thai’s growth opportunity

 

Stithorn insisted that even if Pheu Thai does partner with the conservative camp to lead the new government, its hard-core fans would not be swayed.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/pheu-thai-cruising-toward-power-but-at-what-price/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-08-11

 

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[herfiehandbag]

The price is getting Thaksin back.

 

That is the only thing that they are interested in, and for that they will pay any price.

 

Collapse in support, loss of credibility, lack of democracy accountability are all bridges to cross once he is back.

[Hunz Kittisak]

 

“it’s the economy, stupid!”

with Thaksin back and implementing sound policies to make Thailand great again….. come next elections PT will again be the political powerhouse 

[Eric Loh]

It’s a no-choice decision considering the negatives that can happen if Pheu Thai can’t form the government and allow the minority of military and ally parties become the government. It will be years of turmoil in the House and on the streets making Thailand politically unstable and the economy suffer taking the people with it. 
 

Forming a kind of national government will have big upsides. With Pheu Thai’s track record in economic growth especially with the business acumen and experience of K Sretha as the PM, expect GDP to improve after a decade of stagnation. The natural gas JV with Cambodia will likely to be revive and will lower the costs of electricity and will benefit the people and manufacturers. 
 

With the inclusion of the military parties, we may see a full term for the government absence of coup. That will bring confident to foreign investors and improve FDI flow inwards providing more jobs and taxes. 
 

We may also see the polarization of the red and yellow gets less intense and hopefully dissipate. The troublesome ultra royalists will also have less reasons to instigate social and political problems.

Pheu Thai has 4 years for their government to work for the people. If the people are happy with the improving living standard, they will reciprocate in the next election. 
 

No doubt the country is in dire straits to have a new government quickly as the economy is not shaping up well affected by the poor global economy. 

 

[Wongkitlo]

9 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

It’s a no-choice decision considering the negatives that can happen if Pheu Thai can’t form the government and allow the minority of military and ally parties become the government. It will be years of turmoil in the House and on the streets making Thailand politically unstable and the economy suffer taking the people with it. 
 

Forming a kind of national government will have big upsides. With Pheu Thai’s track record in economic growth especially with the business acumen and experience of K Sretha as the PM, expect GDP to improve after a decade of stagnation. The natural gas JV with Cambodia will likely to be revive and will lower the costs of electricity and will benefit the people and manufacturers. 
 

With the inclusion of the military parties, we may see a full term for the government absence of coup. That will bring confident to foreign investors and improve FDI flow inwards providing more jobs and taxes. 
 

We may also see the polarization of the red and yellow gets less intense and hopefully dissipate. The troublesome ultra royalists will also have less reasons to instigate social and political problems.

Pheu Thai has 4 years for their government to work for the people. If the people are happy with the improving living standard, they will reciprocate in the next election. 
 

No doubt the country is in dire straits to have a new government quickly as the economy is not shaping up well affected by the poor global economy. 

 

Hate to face the truth but agree. 

[madmitch]

It's must be quite depressing for the younger generation to look at the picture above and see a table of twelve sixty plus men. Yes, that's the demographic that again is going to have control of the country.

[Thingamabob]

1 hour ago, Eric Loh said:

It’s a no-choice decision considering the negatives that can happen if Pheu Thai can’t form the government and allow the minority of military and ally parties become the government. It will be years of turmoil in the House and on the streets making Thailand politically unstable and the economy suffer taking the people with it. 
 

Forming a kind of national government will have big upsides. With Pheu Thai’s track record in economic growth especially with the business acumen and experience of K Sretha as the PM, expect GDP to improve after a decade of stagnation. The natural gas JV with Cambodia will likely to be revive and will lower the costs of electricity and will benefit the people and manufacturers. 
 

With the inclusion of the military parties, we may see a full term for the government absence of coup. That will bring confident to foreign investors and improve FDI flow inwards providing more jobs and taxes. 
 

We may also see the polarization of the red and yellow gets less intense and hopefully dissipate. The troublesome ultra royalists will also have less reasons to instigate social and political problems.

Pheu Thai has 4 years for their government to work for the people. If the people are happy with the improving living standard, they will reciprocate in the next election. 
 

No doubt the country is in dire straits to have a new government quickly as the economy is not shaping up well affected by the poor global economy. 

 

You appear to be unaware that Pheu Thai's treachery and lying will result in a government led by Prawit, with Prayut and Anutin still involved. Just what the vast majority of Thais voted against.

[sirineou]

I no longer  even read things about Thai politics. The whole thing is a joke. 

 

[kimamey]

1 hour ago, madmitch said:

It's must be quite depressing for the younger generation to look at the picture above and see a table of twelve sixty plus men. Yes, that's the demographic that again is going to have control of the country.

It's odd because the retirement age for government employees is 60 as far as I know.  It certainly is for my wife in part of the Ministry of Labour.

[Dogmatix]

2 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

It’s a no-choice decision considering the negatives that can happen if Pheu Thai can’t form the government and allow the minority of military and ally parties become the government. It will be years of turmoil in the House and on the streets making Thailand politically unstable and the economy suffer taking the people with it. 
 

Forming a kind of national government will have big upsides. With Pheu Thai’s track record in economic growth especially with the business acumen and experience of K Sretha as the PM, expect GDP to improve after a decade of stagnation. The natural gas JV with Cambodia will likely to be revive and will lower the costs of electricity and will benefit the people and manufacturers. 
 

With the inclusion of the military parties, we may see a full term for the government absence of coup. That will bring confident to foreign investors and improve FDI flow inwards providing more jobs and taxes. 
 

We may also see the polarization of the red and yellow gets less intense and hopefully dissipate. The troublesome ultra royalists will also have less reasons to instigate social and political problems.

Pheu Thai has 4 years for their government to work for the people. If the people are happy with the improving living standard, they will reciprocate in the next election. 
 

No doubt the country is in dire straits to have a new government quickly as the economy is not shaping up well affected by the poor global economy. 

 

I was not impressed by PT's performance on economic management, although the party's PR machine promotes it relentlessly. In the first Thaksin government he had Somkid as "economic tsar" and he achieved nothing except spouting hot air in his heavy Chinese accent.  He did the same for the junta government. The Yingluck government's main economic policy with the hugely corrupt rice pledging and they put in Kitirat as finance minister, in which role he achieved nothing nothing apart from the suicide of many farmers who were cheated by the government and not paid for their pledged rice, which meant their families had nothing to eat.

[Artisi]

42 minutes ago, Dogmatix said:

I was not impressed by PT's performance on economic management, although the party's PR machine promotes it relentlessly. In the first Thaksin government he had Somkid as "economic tsar" and he achieved nothing except spouting hot air in his heavy Chinese accent.  He did the same for the junta government. The Yingluck government's main economic policy with the hugely corrupt rice pledging and they put in Kitirat as finance minister, in which role he achieved nothing nothing apart from the suicide of many farmers who were cheated by the government and not paid for their pledged rice, which meant their families had nothing to eat.

but the die-hards who think Thaksin can walk on water will disagree with you to the extreme . 

[bannork]

4 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

It’s a no-choice decision considering the negatives that can happen if Pheu Thai can’t form the government and allow the minority of military and ally parties become the government. It will be years of turmoil in the House and on the streets making Thailand politically unstable and the economy suffer taking the people with it. 
 

Forming a kind of national government will have big upsides. With Pheu Thai’s track record in economic growth especially with the business acumen and experience of K Sretha as the PM, expect GDP to improve after a decade of stagnation. The natural gas JV with Cambodia will likely to be revive and will lower the costs of electricity and will benefit the people and manufacturers. 
 

With the inclusion of the military parties, we may see a full term for the government absence of coup. That will bring confident to foreign investors and improve FDI flow inwards providing more jobs and taxes. 
 

We may also see the polarization of the red and yellow gets less intense and hopefully dissipate. The troublesome ultra royalists will also have less reasons to instigate social and political problems.

Pheu Thai has 4 years for their government to work for the people. If the people are happy with the improving living standard, they will reciprocate in the next election. 
 

No doubt the country is in dire straits to have a new government quickly as the economy is not shaping up well affected by the poor global economy. 

 

If Pheu Thai had any morals they would have gone into Opposition with MF and let the junta parties form a minority government.

Let it run till next May then call a vote of no confidence.

New elections, MF and PT in government with no senators to select the PM 

But no, they couldn't wait.

[Artisi]

4 minutes ago, bannork said:

If Pheu Thai had any morals they would have gone into Opposition with MF and let the junta parties form a minority government.

Let it run till next May then call a vote of no confidence.

New elections, MF and PT in government with no senators to select the PM 

But no, they couldn't wait.

The trough is starting to overflow, so let's not waste time on being too smart, live for today - tomorrow might never come. 

[dinsdale]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

“But if you think the Pheu Thai Party will be driven to extinction, you are wrong,” said Stithorn Thananithichot,

Not according to everyone I've talked to. "Khun Torayu!" they all say; "Traitor!" 'PT is finished!" Wife says the same. "Everyone very serious about this". This treachery will not go unpunished. For PT to lay in the same bed as the present junta, military, conservative, elitist coalition is discusting and then ask MFP to vote for their PM nomination is beyond the contempt. I've said a few times now MFP should not attend parliament for the vote for a new PM.

[madmitch]

6 hours ago, kimamey said:

It's odd because the retirement age for government employees is 60 as far as I know.  It certainly is for my wife in part of the Ministry of Labour.

Yep. Over 60 is too old for regullar Government employees but the norm for MPs, especially cabinet ministers. Prawit is 77, the speaker is 79 and the rest keep the local hair dye shop in business.

[hotchilli]

16 hours ago, webfact said:

Voters are now watching how the Pheu Thai Party goes about forming the new government after it parted ways with election-winner Move Forward, courted several conservative parties including Bhumjaithai, United Thai Nation and Palang Pracharath.

Thai democracy in full view.

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

With Pheu Thai’s track record in economic growth

Yeah the rice scam was a doozy.

[Eric Loh]

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Yeah the rice scam was a doozy.

The rice policy was an election pledge and kept. Corruption did happened as in every aspect of Thailand’s politics. She was not found guilty for dereliction of duty. Financial statement prepared by the Comptroller General’s Department did not report any losses incurred by the rice scheme. The Court acted on political expediency like they will most likely do to Pita. After all that happened to Thanathorn and Pita, you still think that there is no two tier judiciary system in Thailand? 
 

[Eric Loh]

15 hours ago, Dogmatix said:

I was not impressed by PT's performance on economic management, although the party's PR machine promotes it relentlessly. In the first Thaksin government he had Somkid as "economic tsar" and he achieved nothing except spouting hot air in his heavy Chinese accent.  He did the same for the junta government. The Yingluck government's main economic policy with the hugely corrupt rice pledging and they put in Kitirat as finance minister, in which role he achieved nothing nothing apart from the suicide of many farmers who were cheated by the government and not paid for their pledged rice, which meant their families had nothing to eat.

PTP economic track record is all for you to see and some of their policies like UHC, Village Fund and OTOP still adopted by subsequent governments even post coup governments. They did paid back the IMF loans in record time. The people voted them back because of they had a better standard of living under them.

 

 

[phetphet]

In five years time, voter apathy and vote buying will ensure the electorate vote the "right way".

 

GF said she will not vote for PT again after their tricks.

[RichardColeman]

Hard to trust a party that breaks a political promise before they even get into power

[Eric Loh]

17 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

You appear to be unaware that Pheu Thai's treachery and lying will result in a government led by Prawit, with Prayut and Anutin still involved. Just what the vast majority of Thais voted against.

As a personal opinion, I agree with you that the next government should not involved the last government parties. In this political stalemate due to the highly skewed charter, it is an option that need to be made. If this  mean

a peaceful next 4 years, vast majority of Thais may most likely be pleased. 

[bizboi]

On 8/11/2023 at 1:29 PM, Hunz Kittisak said:

 

“it’s the economy, stupid!”

with Thaksin back and implementing sound policies to make Thailand great again….. come next elections PT will again be the political powerhouse 

But they lost the election don’t ya know so don’t have any right to form a government They have proven they are corrupt thieves once again!!

[zzaa09]

[herfiehandbag]

On 8/11/2023 at 2:03 PM, Eric Loh said:

It’s a no-choice decision considering the negatives that can happen if Pheu Thai can’t form the government and allow the minority of military and ally parties become the government. It will be years of turmoil in the House and on the streets making Thailand politically unstable and the economy suffer taking the people with it. 
 

Forming a kind of national government will have big upsides. With Pheu Thai’s track record in economic growth especially with the business acumen and experience of K Sretha as the PM, expect GDP to improve after a decade of stagnation. The natural gas JV with Cambodia will likely to be revive and will lower the costs of electricity and will benefit the people and manufacturers. 
 

With the inclusion of the military parties, we may see a full term for the government absence of coup. That will bring confident to foreign investors and improve FDI flow inwards providing more jobs and taxes. 
 

We may also see the polarization of the red and yellow gets less intense and hopefully dissipate. The troublesome ultra royalists will also have less reasons to instigate social and political problems.

Pheu Thai has 4 years for their government to work for the people. If the people are happy with the improving living standard, they will reciprocate in the next election. 
 

No doubt the country is in dire straits to have a new government quickly as the economy is not shaping up well affected by the poor global economy. 

 

A "national government" is formed when all parties (more or less) come together to govern in response to an external threat to the country. So for example, the UK had a national government during the economic crisis created by the "Great Depression", and again whilst the country was fighting to survive during the Second World War.

 

Thailand's current difficulties are entirely due to the actions of it's own politicians. There is no external threat to the country. Three months ago ( !) they held an election. The parties which won it formed a coalition. The political classes have, in conjunction with a Senate which was created and answers to the coup makers, and various agencies and courts similarly controlled by the current government (which let us not forget owes its existence to, and is the direct result of a good old fashioned coup, bolstered by a rigged constitution confirmed by a gerrymandered referendum) have chosen to ignore that election.

 

The crisis is that the election results are being ignored, the solution is not a national government, which is de facto the government emphatically rejected at the election.

 

The solution is to honour the election result.

Edited August 12, 2023 by herfiehandbag

[DavisH]

21 hours ago, madmitch said:

Yep. Over 60 is too old for regullar Government employees but the norm for MPs, especially cabinet ministers. Prawit is 77, the speaker is 79 and the rest keep the local hair dye shop in business.

60 is too young. Many 60 year olds still have all their mental faculties. My wife retired from government 2 years ago, but has taken another more senior position (but not srictly as a government employee). It's not like the ork is arduous like in construction. I would think many poeple can work until their are 70-75 or so. 

[pegman]

On 8/11/2023 at 3:04 AM, madmitch said:

It's must be quite depressing for the younger generation to look at the picture above and see a table of twelve sixty plus men. Yes, that's the demographic that again is going to have control of the country.

Well the young people of Thailand can always look to the USA in order to feel better about the state of politics in their own country. 

[BenStark]

On 8/11/2023 at 3:04 PM, madmitch said:

It's must be quite depressing for the younger generation to look at the picture above and see a table of twelve sixty plus men. Yes, that's the demographic that again is going to have control of the country.

I'm not gonna comment on their age, as I am aware of many governments is the world that have much older ministers and presidents. but I see quite a few in that picture of which I doubt they know which day it is.

[MangoKorat]

On 8/11/2023 at 9:04 AM, madmitch said:

Yes, that's the demographic that again is going to have control of the country.

Nope, control of the government perhaps but control of the country? Real control hasn't changed for many years and isn't likely to any time soon.

 

Various governments have come and gone and they are allowed a degree of lattitude in terms of introducing changes to laws, making policy etc. However, if they become too popular or try to make changes/laws that threaten the position of the 'Elite' families - they are history.

[MangoKorat]

8 hours ago, bizboi said:

But they lost the election don’t ya know so don’t have any right to form a government

That's how it works in aThai style putinocracy democracy - did you expect the election winner to form a government? There was never any hope of that happening - except in the minds of the electorate.