Whispers of change have been wafting through the corridors of power, but the latest voice to join the chorus staunchly dismisses the notion. “A reshuffle with our formidable 314 seats operative in the House? Preposterous,” he quipped with a hint of amusement. The assertion came straight from Phumtham’s lips, the formidable figure known as much for his verbal jousting as his political acumen, just prior to entering the pulse of the nation’s decision-making—the weekly Cabinet convergence on Tuesday.
The stage seemed set for a day as any other, but it held the lingering echoes of the Democrat Party’s inner seismic shift from the weekend. The venerable party had finally quelled the suspense, crowning Chalermchai Sri-on as the captain of their ship following months of a seemingly unbridgeable rift that had previously thwarted two leadership ballots.
Bringing his own flavor to the Commerce portfolio, Phumtham stood unwavering in the face of queries about potential alliances. There was no mincing of words as he articulated the coalition’s satisfaction with its robust parliamentary presence, downplaying any notions of extending invitations to fresh political dancers. “Why fix what isn’t broken?” seemed to be the mantra as he painted a picture of a Cabinet humming in unison, diligently immersed in the country’s service; but within that picture, some saw the brushstrokes of future strategy.
The political arena, a stage for endless speculations, was rife with talk that under Chalermchai’s stewardship, the Democrats might just be cozying up to the old adversary: Pheu Thai. Certain actions have raised eyebrows, like the curious case of 16 Democrat crusaders who, led by Chalermchai himself, cast their lot in favor of Pheu Thai’s champion, Srettha Thavisin, for the premiership.
Like seasoned chess players, analysts mused over the Democrats’ moves, prognosticating that Pheu Thai could wield this proximity as a bargaining chip in their own coalition gambits, perhaps to ensure Bhumjaithai marches to the collective drumbeat. The undercurrents of the minimum wage tussle seemed only to lend credence to these foresights.
Anutin Charnvirakul of the Bhumjaithai Party, however, scoffed at the murmurs of discord, his confidence in the government’s solidarity seemingly unshaken. Meanwhile, Phumtham’s connection to Chalermchai could best be described as a blank page, devoid of personal acquaintanceship or dialogue.
Despite the buzz, the Cabinet’s chessboard still revealed gaps, with a couple of ministerial castles standing vacant, awaiting occupants to fill the 34-strong assembly towards its optimal count of 36. Yet not all currents were flowing towards the center.
The Democrat Party, in the wake of its new leadership, felt the sting of departure as a handful of its stalwarts—including the likes of former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and ex-Phuket MP Anchalee Wanich Thepphabut, both with over three decades of loyalty—stepped away from its ranks. As the old guard made their exit, the corridors filled with anticipation and speculation. After all, in the grand dance of politics, every step, every alliance, and every farewell is but a prelude to the next enchanting twist.
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