2023’s top stories: The ‘3Ps’ lose power as voters pull plug on junta legacy

[webfact]

After nine years in power, the once formidable alliance of Thailand’s three brothers-in-arms finally came to an end in 2023.

 

The political era of the “3 Ps” – General Prayut Chan-o-cha, General Prawit Wongsuwan, and General Anupong “Pok” Paochinda – ended with the disappointing performance of the old power clique’s parties at the May 14 general election.

 

The trio’s chance of returning to power was undermined by a split between Prayut and Prawit before the election. Seeking to extend his time as prime minister, Prayut ditched Prawit’s Palang Pracharath Party and became the PM candidate of a new party, United Thai Nation.

 

Rivalry between ‘brothers’

 

The rift had come to a head two years earlier in September 2021 after then-PM Prayut discovered that certain party MPs had plotted against him at a no-confidence debate.

 

The rivalry between the two brothers-in-arms intensified in the run-up to the election as both vied for the premiership. At the 2019 election, Prayut had been the sole PM candidate of Palang Pracharath, which came second in the national vote and formed a coalition government.

 

The three former Army chiefs thereby managed to retain power after five years of running the junta following the May 2014 coup led by Prayut as Army chief. Already hit by low popularity among voters, the old power clique’s chances were further damaged by contesting the election with two separate parties, said analysts.

 

The predictions were borne out when the two parties won just 76 seats in the 2023 election, down from the 116 won by Palang Pracharath in 2019.

 

TOP: From left : Gen Anupong Paochinda, Gen Prawit Wongsuwan and Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2023-12-29

 

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[Will B Good]

4 minutes ago, webfact said:

The trio’s chance of returning to power was undermined by a split between Prayut and Prawit before the election.

That might have played a small part.......but it was the electorates desire to see a truly democratically elected government that was the driving force behind their demise......not that the electorate got their wishes.

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, Will B Good said:

That might have played a small part.......but it was the electorates desire to see a truly democratically elected government that was the driving force behind their demise......not that the electorate got their wishes.

As you say... even that got stolen from them.

[fondue zoo]

Larry, Curly and Moe

[candide]

The three P have lost and the other P, who was their puppet master, must be rolling in his grave! 

[Stocky]

The 3Ps didn't follow the 6Ps

 

 

 

[StayinThailand2much]

In other news, not much has changed since then for 98% of the population, except for accumulation of more household debt.

[candide]

2 hours ago, Stocky said:

The 3Ps didn't follow the 6Ps

 

 

 

Well, it depends about what. The coup and proceeding events have been well prepared and planned. One cannot be good at everything! 😁

[Elkski]

2 hours ago, Stocky said:

The 3Ps didn't follow the 6Ps

 

 

 

I was taught "proper prior planning..."  "7 P's"  in mid 80's