Thaksin-linked party plans new bloc to form Thai govt without election winner
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Move Forward Party's leader Pita Limjaroenrat failed twice in his bid to become Thailand's next prime minister.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Follow topic:
BANGKOK – Pheu Thai, a party linked to Thailand’s former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, said on Wednesday that it would form a new coalition with the possible backing of conservative parties, to end a political stalemate that has gripped Thailand since the May election.
Pheu Thai will seek to form a government without Move Forward Party, effectively disbanding an eight-party, pro-democracy coalition under Mr Pita Limjaroenrat, according to party leader Chonlanan Srikaew.
The new Pheu Thai-led coalition will nominate property tycoon Srettha Thavisin for the prime minister’s post on Friday.
South-east Asia’s second-largest economy has been in political limbo since the polls, in which the progressive Move Forward emerged as the largest party, closely followed by the populist Pheu Thai party.
Move Forward took the lead in forming the alliance
Conservative opposition to Move Forward stemmed from its progressive agenda that was seen by the royalist-military establishment as a threat, in particular a promise to amend a law, known as Article 112, that punishes insulting the monarchy with prison of up to 15 years.
Pheu Thai deputy leader Phumtham Wechayachai said a government led by his party would not support amending Article 112 but would focus on solving economic and political problems.
Move Forward’s secretary-general Chaithawat Tulathon said opposition to his party’s proposal to amend the law was an excuse to block it from power.
“The old powers don’t want to see a Move Forward government,” he said.
Dr Chonlanan told reporters in Bangkok that his party had little choice but to break with its ally in the face of insurmountable conservative opposition to it.
“Pheu Thai has supported Move Forward to our fullest ability,” he said.
Mr Rangsiman Rome, a Move Forward lawmaker, told reporters he was shocked by Pheu Thai’s decision to abandon their alliance.
“I thought we were married. Today... it’s like a divorce,” he said near Pheu Thai’s headquarters, where more than 100 people gathered to protest against the sidelining of Move Forward.
“You betrayed the people,” some protesters shouted, referring to Pheu Thai.
Pheu Thai’s nominee for prime minister, Mr Srettha, has little political experience. He co-founded Bangkok-listed Sansiri, one of Thailand’s largest real estate developers.
Members of a new alliance that will seek to form the next government would be announced on Thursday, Dr Chonlanan said.
The attempt by Pheu Thai to form a government comes as Thaksin plans to return to Thailand after almost 15 years in self-exile.
Thaksin, 74, who was ousted as prime minister in a 2006 coup, is expected back next week, his daughter, who is also a Pheu Thai leader, said recently.
He faces up to a decade in jail on convictions for graft and abuse of power, charges that he denied and described as politically motivated.
Investors reacted to Pheu Thai’s announcement with cautious optimism that saw stocks rallying briefly before ending lower while the baht trimmed its losses.
“Most investors are still very cautious about political uncertainty until the PM vote result is clear,” said Mr Rakpong Chaisuparakul, an analyst at KGI Securities.
Angry pro-democracy activists gathered outside Pheu Thai’s headquarters in Bangkok, with some protesters spraying red paint across the building’s entrance and burning effigies.
Move Forward rose to prominence with the backing of many younger voters who protested for months against a military-backed government in 2020.
Ms Jiraporn Butsapakit, a 75-year-old protester, said she had hoped Pheu Thai and Move Forward could have worked together for democracy.
“I am so disappointed,” she said.
BLOOMBERG, REUTERS
