The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), under the astute leadership of Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, is gearing up to become an indomitable opposition force following its dismissal from the Pheu Thai-led government. Political analysts are abuzz, declaring this a seismic shift in Thailand’s political landscape. The straw that broke the camel’s back came last week when Pheu Thai, buoyed by support from its MPs, decisively chose to exclude the PPRP from the latest cabinet formation.
According to Pheu Thai’s secretary-general, Sorawong Thienthong, the absence of Gen Prawit from two critical prime ministerial votes was a point of contention. This no-show occurred once during Srettha Thavisin’s appointment as prime minister a year ago and recently for Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s succession following Mr. Srettha’s removal by the Constitutional Court.
With the PPRP out of the picture, Pheu Thai extended an olive branch to its erstwhile adversary, the Democrat Party, inviting them into the coalition government. This unexpected alliance signals an end to the longstanding rivalry between the two parties. Gen Prawit, who commands a loyal faction of 19 PPRP MPs, now finds himself thrust into opposition.
In a candid conversation, Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, the deputy PPRP leader, made it clear that the party would rigorously scrutinize Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s administration. “We’re rolling up our sleeves. We’ve always kept an eye on government affairs, but this time, we’re not holding back,” Chaiwut declared, hinting at a tempestuous term ahead.
Chaiwut acknowledged the government’s robust House majority, which would facilitate the passage of its major policies but warned that contentious propositions like the casino-entertainment complex scheme could face fierce resistance. Economic woes and alleged meddling by Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn’s father, are also flashpoints.
Pheu Thai’s strategy of luring MPs from other parties, Chaiwut observed, could backfire, causing fissures within the coalition. “Pheu Thai’s political maneuvers might sow internal discord. When ambitions clash, disputes arise, leading to instability,” he mused.
The coalition consists of 141 MPs from Pheu Thai, 70 from Bhumjaithai, 36 from United Thai Nation, 25 from the Democrats, 10 from Charthaipattana, three from Chart Pattana, and 21 from a PPRP faction led by Capt Thamanat Prompow.
According to Chaiwut, Pheu Thai isn’t fazed by Gen Prawit’s political magnetism. Instead, it prioritizes politicians who align with its agenda. The PPRP, however, has a splinter group led by Capt Thamanat, who maintains ties with Thaksin and pledged support for the Pheu Thai-led coalition.
Capt Thamanat declared his autonomy from Gen Prawit while conveying solidarity with Pheu Thai. Chaiwut revealed that the PPRP believed the agreement for cabinet seats would hold even after Srettha’s ousting, but this assumption proved incorrect. The PPRP wished to highlight Pheu Thai’s breach of the agreement, hence their non-announcement of departure from the coalition.
Chaiwut dismissed Pheu Thai’s claim that Gen Prawit’s absences were grounds for exclusion, pointing out that the rest of the PPRP members supported both Srettha and Paetongtarn.
A Pheu Thai insider noted that while the government can advance its agenda due to its House majority, Gen Prawit shouldn’t be underestimated. His decades-long political career and influence could spell trouble for Paetongtarn’s administration, necessitating careful maneuvering.
Gen Prawit is believed to be the orchestrator behind a petition filed by 40 senators against Srettha, complicating the political landscape. The ruling party must exercise caution to avoid legal pitfalls, particularly in contentious appointments, like that of Capt Thamanat.
Pheu Thai list-MP Prayut Siripanich emphasized the need for exhaustive background checks for cabinet candidates to sidestep potential legal dilemmas. The government aims to complete its term by cautiously navigating these treacherous waters.
Stithorn Thananithichot of the King Prajadhipok’s Institute opined that while Gen Prawit doesn’t present an immediate threat, Paetongtarn’s government needs to deliver substantial results swiftly. The political commentator suggested that the government’s performance would be scrutinized based on its approval ratings and economic impact in the first half of the upcoming year.
He added, “Pheu Thai’s bold move shows they aren’t daunted by Gen Prawit. They understand they have a window of opportunity.” He foresees no immediate strife within the coalition, as partners appear content with their allocated cabinet seats.
The government’s Achilles’ heel, according to Stithorn, will be its ability to meet the high public expectations set forth by Thaksin’s ambitious vision. Failure to do so could prove fatal for the administration, which must now navigate these politically charged waters with precision and prudence.
Gen Prawit moving into opposition could stir up significant trouble for Paetongtarn. His political acumen is formidable.
True, but Pheu Thai seems prepared to handle the opposition. They know what they’re doing.
Prepared or not, underestimating Gen Prawit is a mistake. His connections run deep.
Exactly. A seasoned player like him can navigate opposition with ease and could exploit any weakness. Let’s not forget the 40 senators.
But what about the public? They’re fed up with all these machinations. They want real progress, not political games.
It’s always the public that suffers while these politicians play their power games. The focus should be on economic solutions, not who sits where.
Paetongtarn’s ascendancy feels like another round of Thaksin’s tactics. Isn’t it obvious she’s a puppet?
That’s harsh, but not entirely untrue. Thaksin’s influence is undeniable here.
Indeed, but don’t discount her political will. She may surprise us with independent strategies.
This casino-entertainment complex proposal could actually benefit the economy. Why is PPRP so against it?
Moral and social concerns. Such complexes often lead to increased crime and addiction.
Yet they bring in tourism and revenue. It’s a trade-off, but one that shouldn’t be dismissed summarily.
Isn’t politics all about alliances and betrayals? Pheu Thai’s move is just another chapter in this saga.
Yes, but it affects governance. We need stability, not constant shifts in alliances.
Politics anywhere is dirty. The question is, can Paetongtarn’s government deliver while managing internal squabbles?
PPRP’s absence will likely destabilize the Pheu Thai coalition. Internal cracks will emerge, just a matter of time.
I disagree. Pheu Thai has a strong majority and allies. They can keep things together.
A strong majority or not, internal power struggles can topple any government. We’ve seen it before.
Chaiwut’s confidence is concerning. Does he think he can combat Pheu Thai without consequences?
Chaiwut’s bravado is typical. Opposition needs to be strong but realistic.
Realistic or not, someone has to hold the government accountable.
Pheu Thai’s decision to exclude PPRP might backfire spectacularly. This could be the beginning of their downfall.
Gen Prawit’s influence won’t be enough. He doesn’t have the numbers or the strategic edge anymore.
What matters is Pheu Thai’s ability to deliver results. All else is secondary.
Economic improvement should be a priority. All this political maneuvering delays real progress.
A lot of this boils down to ego and legacy. How much is genuinely about serving the public?
We should probably brace for more political turmoil. Stability seems unlikely anytime soon.
Gen Prawit’s faction could align with other dissatisfied MPs. This isn’t the last twist in this saga.
I wonder if this drama will continue impacting Thailand’s global image and investor confidence.
Political unrest and instability are never good for any country. Thailand needs a period of calm.
Political calm seems like a fantasy right now. Both sides need to make compromises.