Voting for next PM to go ahead with growing turmoil likely to end with General Prawit as PM

[webfact]

Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul spoke with reporters on Tuesday when he touched on a potential dispute between the Bhumjaithai Party and Pheu Thai Party over his desire to retain his party’s current ministries in any new government. On Wednesday, following the Constitutional Court’s decision to dismiss petitions relating to the renomination of Move Forward’s Pita Limjaroenrat as Prime Minister on July 19th, the way was cleared for the nomination of Srettha Thavisin this week. The failure of his nomination to gain 375 votes would lead to the Bhumjaithai Party being given the initiative and the eventual election of the Palang Pracharat Party’s leader General Prawit Wongsuwan as the kingdom’s next Prime Minister.

Already this week, the Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul has a problem with a proposal from Pheu Thai and Mr Srettha Thavisin to vary ministries in any incoming government. The potential rejection of Mr Srettha Thavisin in the coming vote on his nomination in parliament will hand the initiative over to Mr Anutin and ultimately the Prime Minister’s chair to General Prawit Wongsuwan.

The Constitutional Court, on Wednesday, cleared the way for the parliamentary process to elect Thailand’s 30th Prime Minister to continue when it rejected petitions made against the blocking of Mr Pita Limjaroenrat’s renomination on July 19th last. A new vote on the nomination of Pheu Thai’s Mr Srettha Thavisin is likely within the week but there are doubts as to whether it will succeed, opening up the possibility of a Bhumjaithai Party-led effort to form a government and the eventual election of General Prawit Wongsuwan as Thailand’s next PM.

 

On Wednesday, the Constitutional Court in Bangkok threw out petitions submitted to it via the Office of the Ombudsman questioning the legality of the decision in Parliament on July 19th not to debate the renomination of Mr Pita Limjaroenrat for the office of Prime Minister.

 

by Joseph O' Connor

 

Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2023/08/16/voting-for-next-prime-minister-to-go-ahead-general-prawit-wongsuwan-expected/

 

-- Thai Examiner 2023-08-17

 

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[1duckyboy]

"General Prawit has had a distinguished career in both the military and government and may end up uniquely positioned to be elected as PM at this time"

 

Saw this coming when Pita couldn't get elected PM. "distinguished" is not what I would call Prawit's career. 

 

If the power that be can dredge up Pita's media stock holdings how about MFP demanding more facts about Prawit's watches and rings inquiry? Yeah, I know, it will never happen.  

[ikke1959]

As to be expected, hat the army will never give up its power...Civils are never going to be in charge unless with new elections.. Pheu Thai have lost it already, as they are being used by the military and so called " friend/coalition" parties.. Settha is not to trust and Pheu Thai governments have ended always in coups... so nothing left than Anutin or Prawit. The first uncapable and the other too old, but he is from the army so what.. Shameful for Thailand, and disgrace for the voters 

[rwill]

All going according to plan.

[hotchilli]

  On 8/16/2023 at 7:45 PM, webfact said:

the way was cleared for the nomination of Srettha Thavisin this week. The failure of his nomination to gain 375 votes would lead to the Bhumjaithai Party being given the initiative and the eventual election of the Palang Pracharat Party’s leader General Prawit Wongsuwan as the kingdom’s next Prime Minister.

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If that happens Thailand will truly sink below the gutter level of politics and enter the sewerage system.

Internationally I hope there will be a backlash at this happening in a so-called democratic election.

[chickenslegs]

BJT has just 68 seats, but it looks like they will win the top job. Amazing Thailand!

[soalbundy]

  On 8/16/2023 at 10:54 PM, hotchilli said:

If that happens Thailand will truly sink below the gutter level of politics and enter the sewerage system.

Internationally I hope there will be a backlash at this happening in a so-called democratic election.

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Internationally Thailand isn't that important to warrant a backlash.

[hotchilli]

  On 8/16/2023 at 11:15 PM, soalbundy said:

Internationally Thailand isn't that important to warrant a backlash.

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To major importers and exporters it could mean a lot.

[soalbundy]

  On 8/16/2023 at 11:19 PM, hotchilli said:

To major importers and exporters it could mean a lot.

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Why? business isn't woke, business, like Prawit, cares about money. I can't imagine anyone in Europe getting hot under the collar about corruption in Asia and the Americans have their own corrupt contender to worry about.

[Srikcir]

  On 8/16/2023 at 9:52 PM, 1duckyboy said:

"General Prawit has had a distinguished career in both the military and government and may end up uniquely positioned to be elected as PM at this time"

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Only in Thailand which has become the Hub of Military Coups in ASEAN, Prawit is commended with distinguished service as Deputy PM and Mentor to the NCPO Junta Chief/PM Prayut who overthrew an elected government. That's called "Thai-styled democracy" as in "What you see isn't what you get."

 

[Harsh Jones]

Good. I support the military. And not the externally funded parties that aren't sovereign. 

[RichardColeman]

If any party is elected by the use of a large number of the 250 senators unelected by the people, then you know its just another coup made to look like a democratic vote.

[Srikcir]

  On 8/16/2023 at 11:19 PM, hotchilli said:

To major importers and exporters it could mean a lot.

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In theory yes but not in practice.

In 2021 China, Japan and the USA were Thailand's top three importers/exporters.

[Tom H]

…. or himself as PM:). 

Best strategist: Anutin!

[Tom H]

  On 8/16/2023 at 10:45 PM, rwill said:

All going according to plan.

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Clear to me since the election.

Anutin plus uncles plus smaller ones plus 250 senators > 376.

After that:

PT coalition and amnesty for someone in exchange.

All happy.

And the posterboy?

Must learn a lot….

[dinsdale]

TIT. The people vote the army out and the army will be back in. Truly insane. There is no possible way the term democracry shoud even be uttered. A true discrace and a total slap in the face for the people of Thailand and a total corruption of an election.

This can lead to an interesting scenario though. PT if they have any chance of survival (IMO now very slim) will have to vote as a bloc with the oppostion. The 1st motion of the opposition will have to be a vote of no confidence in the PM. If and I say "if" PT cross the floor an vote with the opposition the motion will be passed and new elections must be called.

[spidermike007]

That would be the worst possible outcome for the country, and would set Thailand back 20 years. 

 

Hey Prawit. What about your promise to fight corruption? I doubt if you remember back this far, but when you and Prayuth launched a coup, it was ostensibly to restore law and order, which you accomplished with draconian measures, and to get rid of the rot, and corruption in immigration, the police, customs, and the government, at the highest levels, which you never even made the slightest attempt to do. You substituted 10 foot alligators, with 14 foot crocodiles. And you have spent your entire time protecting the elite, those in office, the army, the police, those who are connected, and the super wealthy. For God's sake, you could not even bring the Dark Tao killer to justice, nor the Red Bull creep. Again, busy protecting the wealthy with all of your power. 

 

And now, you want to run the country? That is indeed a sad day for the nation. You don't deserve it, you haven't earned it. You are not worthy of it. 

 

[mfd101]

Let's look on the bright side: The first meeting between the Watchman and Sleepy Joe should be fun to watch. Very peaceful, I should imagine. All decisions made in advance (as they always are anyway) and a very satisfying encounter.

 

Outcomes: Relations between the two great democracies strengthened. Chinese worried.

[proton]

General Prawit has had an undistinguished career in both the military coup and imposed government since 2014 and has been named for protecting corrupt army officers accused of human trafficking, he is uniquely positioned to ignore the wishes of the Thai people as he is supported by the 'right' people.

[mikebell]

  On 8/16/2023 at 7:45 PM, webfact said:

Mr Anutin and ultimately the Prime Minister’s chair to General Prawit Wongsuwan.

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Choices, choices!  How can Thais bear this disgrace?

[bannork]

  On 8/16/2023 at 10:56 PM, chickenslegs said:

BJT has just 68 seats, but it looks like they will win the top job. Amazing Thailand!

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If I recall correctly a large number of those seats are still under investigation for alleged electoral violations.

[mokwit]

  On 8/17/2023 at 12:26 AM, mfd101 said:

Let's look on the bright side: The first meeting between the Watchman and Sleepy Joe should be fun to watch. Very peaceful, I should imagine. All decisions made in advance (as they always are anyway) and a very satisfying encounter.

 

Outcomes: Relations between the two great democracies strengthened. Chinese worried.

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They will both sleep through it.

[JonnyF]

Disgraceful if this happens.

 

The people vote for MFP and PT and end up with Prayut being replaced with Prawit. If the Thai people put up with this I have to say they deserve the government they will get.

[jacko45k]

  On 8/16/2023 at 10:45 PM, rwill said:

All going according to plan.

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Yes, a travesty of democracy unfolding!

[Ben Zioner]

  On 8/17/2023 at 12:52 AM, jacko45k said:

Yes, a travesty of democracy unfolding!

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In other words: The 2014 coup isn't over.

[sidneybear]

Excellent news. Thailand will remain conservative and keep its traditions and culture intact.

 

To those here who were telling me that this time was somehow different, and that the western backed lefties would rule: You were all wrong, and I'm laughing at you now.

[eisfeld]

Note however even if BJT plus a few small parties and the Senate can force through their PM they can only run a government with the help of Pheu Thai to prevent the House from dismantling the PM and other ministers.

 

The question is if Pheu Thai is willing to let Prawit get the job of PM in return for letting Thaksin back into the country.

[Ben Zioner]

  On 8/16/2023 at 11:27 PM, soalbundy said:

Why? business isn't woke, business, like Prawit, cares about money. I can't imagine anyone in Europe getting hot under the collar about corruption in Asia and the Americans have their own corrupt contender to worry about.

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Yep, and since Thailand's main export is tourism, any leader in Europe will think that growing political instability, hence insecurity, will contribute to improve their balance of payments.

[Bkk Brian]

Depressing news, such a sad turn of events for Thailand and the majority who voted for real change. There is hope left, without that there is nothing, this isn't set in stone just yet.

[JonnyF]

  On 8/17/2023 at 12:59 AM, eisfeld said:

The question is if Pheu Thai is willing to let Prawit get the job of PM in return for letting Thaksin back into the country.

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I believe they will.

 

After all, PT was formed by Thaksin, for Thaksin. If that is the best deal on the table, they will take it.