File photo for reference only

 

In a dramatic turn of events, prominent political figures Chuvit Kamolvisit and legal scholar Yingcheep Atchanont have voiced severe criticism against the People's Party (PP) for supporting Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT), as the new prime minister. The backlash comes amidst concerns over PP's decision to back the BJT while simultaneously positioning itself as part of the opposition.

 

Mr Chuvit did not hold back in calling the PP's move a "perfect deception" in a strongly worded Facebook post yesterday. He criticised the party's seemingly paradoxical stance of assisting BJT's ascent to power without securing influential political leverage. This strategic misstep, as he termed it, has sparked concerns about the potential for a government less accountable to its citizens.

 

The crux of Mr Chuvit's argument lies in the looming cabinet formation, which he predicts will be driven by political payback facilitated through a quota system. BJT, benefiting from this arrangement and PP's absence from cabinet discussions, is anticipated to wield significant influence. Mr Chuvit foresees BJT securing pivotal positions in key ministries such as the interior and transport ministries, reinforcing its political stronghold.

 

Mr Chuvit criticised PP's naivete for supporting a government it intends to scrutinise, without utilising strategic opportunities to influence government policies. He suggested that had the PP joined the government, it could have claimed the Justice Ministry, crucial for supervising investigations into Mr Anutin. These include allegations related to collusion with senators and the controversial Khao Kradong land deal.

 

Similarly, control over the Interior Ministry could have empowered the PP to influence electoral processes and key civil service functions. This ministry's oversight of elections, the Land Department, and potential involvement in resolving the Khao Kradong land issue is critical, according to Mr Chuvit.

 

Adding another layer of complexity, Yingcheep Atchanont expressed scepticism over the PP-BJT agreement concerning constitutional reform. This agreement has yet to provide clarity, with the Terms of Reference (ToR) lacking specificity. The looming Constitutional Court decision on amendment procedures on 10th September compounds the uncertainty, raising questions about the feasibility of promised reforms.

 

These developments signal a deeper political rift and the challenges of coalition politics in the current government landscape. The PP is urged to reconsider its strategy, weighing the need for effective governance against political idealism. The critique highlights a broader discourse on political accountability and the role of opposition parties in shaping a government that genuinely represents citizen interests.

 

The PP's move to support Mr Anutin while maintaining an opposition stance has opened a Pandora's box of political consequences. With criticism pouring in from influential voices like Mr Chuvit and Mr Yingcheep, the pressure mounts on the PP to navigate this politically volatile terrain with caution. As the dust settles, the eyes of both supporters and critics remain fixed on the PP's next course of action, determining its impact on the nation's political landscape.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-09-05

 

 

I'd like to think the PP would have weighed up all the options and chosen the one with the best outcome for their future.

One mans opinions vs the opinions of many advisors and current party members....Hmmmm.

Let's hope they got it right. 

Chuvit's naievity is thinking that PP would ever get any top-tier ministerial portfolios if it had thrown its hat in in the ring with Pheu Thai. At best, all they could aspire to are some deputy ministerial assignments in the less important, second tier ones like Culture or Education.

Whilst I understand what PP are trying to do, force an election and or some meaningful reform, I think it is naïve.

 

BJP are the DS* example of old school Thai power politics. They won't so much stab PP in the back as kick them in the teeth very publicly, laughing as they do.

 

Anutin has scrambled to the top of the midden on his hands and knees, no way is he going to get down, especially if it is a matter of principles 

 

* DS means Directing Staff, ie instructors in the military!

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

Mr Chuvit criticised PP's naivete for supporting a government it intends to scrutinise, without utilising strategic opportunities to influence government policies. He suggested that had the PP joined the government, it could have claimed the Justice Ministry, crucial for supervising investigations into Mr Anutin. These include allegations related to collusion with senators and the controversial Khao Kradong land deal.

 

Similarly, control over the Interior Ministry could have empowered the PP to influence electoral processes and key civil service functions. This ministry's oversight of elections, the Land Department, and potential involvement in resolving the Khao Kradong land issue is critical, according to Mr Chuvit.

He's right. And KhaSod's Pravit calls it a win for the Thai 'Deep State' - losing the public's confidence now in the People's Party as well as Pheu Thai, something he says could take civic society a decade to recover from. I agree with him too. Major political blunder by PP. This is the second or third blunder by the 'youthful progressive party'. 

14 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Chuvit's naievity is thinking that PP would ever get any top-tier ministerial portfolios if it had thrown its hat in in the ring with Pheu Thai. At best, all they could aspire to are some deputy ministerial assignments in the less important, second tier ones like Culture or Education.

Nonsense. Of course they would have received cabinet posts if they backed PT. It was almost childish retribution against PT, and now all working class and lower middle class Thai people will suffer from this stupidity of backing the establishment party, while remaining 'as opposition'. They may as well just go f'ing home now.

8 minutes ago, JAG said:

BJP are the DS* example of old school Thai power politics. They won't so much stab PP in the back as kick them in the teeth very publicly, laughing as they do.

Yup

1 hour ago, ronnie50 said:

Nonsense. Of course they would have received cabinet posts if they backed PT. It was almost childish retribution against PT, and now all working class and lower middle class Thai people will suffer from this stupidity of backing the establishment party, while remaining 'as opposition'. They may as well just go f'ing home now.

 

I didn't say they wouldn't get any cabinet posts. I said they would get the ones where they can't fill their boots as much. Those are reserved for the hogs who have served their time loyally at the top-of-the-trough.

8 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

I didn't say they wouldn't get any cabinet posts. I said they would get the ones where they can't fill their boots as much. Those are reserved for the hogs who have served their time loyally at the top-of-the-trough.

If they were smart, instead of playing the calous retribution card, they could and should have held PT's feet to the fire, indicating they would join PT in forming a government - as part of a government, not opposition - agree to the PT PM role, but demand significant cabinet positions like the ones already mentioned. PT would have had no choice but to go along with it. It was a major blunder. Now Anutin will do nothing that PP has asked. Eventually, come late November, the penny will finally have dropped but it will be too late. Then PP will withdraw their support, there will be a no-confidence vote, the 'Anutin elitist government' will fall, and there will be a coup. Then the same establishment types don't even miss a heartbeat going from one supportive government to the next.

Chuvit's an idiot and continues to prove this to be the case. Nothing to see here.

2 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

He's right. And KhaSod's Pravit calls it a win for the Thai 'Deep State' - losing the public's confidence now in the People's Party as well as Pheu Thai, something he says could take civic society a decade to recover from. I agree with him too. Major political blunder by PP. This is the second or third blunder by the 'youthful progressive party'. 

No it isn't. It's political manoeuring.

1 minute ago, dinsdale said:

No it isn't. It's political manoeuring.

Well, okay. If you call deciding to ride in the back seat of the elitist clown car which is driving in the opposite direction to the one they told you, then yes - great manoevering on their part.

It starts already with looling for reasons to dissolve the People's Party. Always fake reasons to get rid of the parties that oppose the army and elite

2 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

Well, okay. If you call deciding to ride in the back seat of the elitist clown car which is driving in the opposite direction to the one they told you, then yes - great manoevering on their part.

There are strings attached. Have you missed this? PP will win the next election unless there's a military coup beforehand. Question is will the CC and the EC get their wings clipped that they can no longer change the outcome to suit the military-establishment.

3 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Chuvit's naievity is thinking that PP would ever get any top-tier ministerial portfolios if it had thrown its hat in in the ring with Pheu Thai. At best, all they could aspire to are some deputy ministerial assignments in the less important, second tier ones like Culture or Education.

 

Education second tier?  No, always top tier.

1 hour ago, dinsdale said:

Question is will the CC and the EC get their wings clipped that they can no longer change the outcome to suit the military-establishment.

Well you know the answer to your question, right? It's 'no' the CC and EC won't get their wings clipped. Who would do that? Anutin?? Their entire reason for existence is to maintain the Establishment's status quo. Anutin is their interim guy - maybe their long term guy. We'll see. My own sense is there will be a coup sometime late November or early December when the PP realize (finally) that they were duped - no referendum of the Constitution and no election called. So they will withdraw support as will PT and Anutin falls - and the coup takes place to 'restore order'. Establishment wins again.

1 hour ago, ronnie50 said:

If they were smart, instead of playing the calous retribution card, they could and should have held PT's feet to the fire, indicating they would join PT in forming a government - as part of a government, not opposition - agree to the PT PM role, but demand significant cabinet positions like the ones already mentioned. PT would have had no choice but to go along with it. It was a major blunder. Now Anutin will do nothing that PP has asked. Eventually, come late November, the penny will finally have dropped but it will be too late. Then PP will withdraw their support, there will be a no-confidence vote, the 'Anutin elitist government' will fall, and there will be a coup. Then the same establishment types don't even miss a heartbeat going from one supportive government to the next.

No reason for a coup if the government loses a no confidence vote. Everyone knows that Bhumjaithai are held to a 4 months contract. 

4 hours ago, JAG said:

Whilst I understand what PP are trying to do, force an election and or some meaningful reform, I think it is naïve.

 

BJP are the DS* example of old school Thai power politics. They won't so much stab PP in the back as kick them in the teeth very publicly, laughing as they do.

 

Anutin has scrambled to the top of the midden on his hands and knees, no way is he going to get down, especially if it is a matter of principles 

 

* DS means Directing Staff, ie instructors in the military!

100% agree, this was a very stupid move but what alternative did they have apart from nominating someone from their own party which I believe they should have done regardless - very naive indeed and sends the wrong message to their voter base

3 minutes ago, smedly said:

100% agree, this was a very stupid move but what alternative did they have apart from nominating someone from their own party which I believe they should have done regardless - very naive indeed and sends the wrong message to their voter base

They couldn't nominate anyone from PP. Under the regulations, at the last election, up to 3 PM candidates could be nominated by each party. PP only nominated Pita so once he was banned, that was it.

2 hours ago, dinsdale said:

There are strings attached. Have you missed this? PP will win the next election unless there's a military coup beforehand. Question is will the CC and the EC get their wings clipped that they can no longer change the outcome to suit the military-establishment.

Highly likely PP will be disbanded and its members banned from politics. Deja Vu.

 

13 hours ago, WHansen said:

I'd like to think the PP would have weighed up all the options and chosen the one with the best outcome for their future.

One mans opinions vs the opinions of many advisors and current party members....Hmmmm.

Let's hope they got it right. 

"Let's hope they got it right. "

You serious??

I love how a bunch of Thai pundits want the People's Party to play by the Marquess of Queensberry Rules, after getting punched in the nutz for 92 years (1933 coup).

 

Masochists.

 

PP made the best deal they could and extracted as many promises (which will probably be abrogated). Without that deal, a soft camo coup could have been the result.

 

 

8 hours ago, smedly said:

100% agree, this was a very stupid move but what alternative did they have apart from nominating someone from their own party which I believe they should have done regardless - very naive indeed and sends the wrong message to their voter base

Think they're playing a cautious game, they are sitting back waiting, currently there are far too many unknowns - problems with Cambodia, tariffs, political uncertainty etc. They are letting others take the heat at the moment while they cruise along building their strength - their day will come then the populous are feed-up with all the nonsense from the current establishment. 

 

The bottom line is, putting aside all speculation, the powers that be don't want anything to change. And by powers I mean the power, not this charade of politics.

1 hour ago, fondue zoo said:

 

The bottom line is, putting aside all speculation, the powers that be don't want anything to change. And by powers I mean the power, not this charade of politics.

Not sure the "power" today is the same "power" that influenced all levels of yesterday, it's certainly there  - - but. 

12 hours ago, scorecard said:

 

Education second tier?  No, always top tier.

 

Being second tier is why this country's educational levels and skill sets are bottom of the regional league table. There's no money to be made being the Education Minister because nobody is allowed to make it better for students or teachers. They just need the ministry staff to vote appropriately, cash their pay checks, pick up their pension, and keep the masses dim.

Isn't that the guy who just was send for 8 month to Prison for defamation.

13 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

Well, okay. If you call deciding to ride in the back seat of the elitist clown car which is driving in the opposite direction to the one they told you, then yes - great manoevering on their part.

 

The "elitist clown car" is a khaki-colored, tracked vehicle.

 

Having had both their previous iterations slapped with political bans, it is way, way too early for PP to get in their own EV, and expect to be allowed to drive in the opposite direction.

 

Chuvit sounds like he's desperate to see political freedom and democracy in Thailand before he passes on. He may as well start holding his breath now.

14 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

Well you know the answer to your question, right? It's 'no' the CC and EC won't get their wings clipped. Who would do that? Anutin?? Their entire reason for existence is to maintain the Establishment's status quo. Anutin is their interim guy - maybe their long term guy. We'll see. My own sense is there will be a coup sometime late November or early December when the PP realize (finally) that they were duped - no referendum of the Constitution and no election called. So they will withdraw support as will PT and Anutin falls - and the coup takes place to 'restore order'. Establishment wins again.

 

That's twice you have offered that 'coup' postulation, which isn't too unlikely. Three times a charm maybe?

 

If BJT does toe the line and honors the dissolution and referendum pledges they made to PP, are there any serious "witch hunts" looming over Anutin that could torpedo hopes to improve their performance in the subsequent election? Maybe PP are being smart by leaving these tasks to whoever makes up the opposition, be it PT (if it doesn't implode without Thaksin) or whatever it morphs into. Which minority parties are more likely to cling to supporting whatever PT becomes? Are their collective numbers significant?

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

This strategic misstep, as he termed it, has sparked concerns about the potential for a government less accountable to its citizens.

Less than PTP's ????

If they backed PTP party, Thaksin would reign supreme again and stab them in the back in the first week.