In the aftermath of the general election on May 14 last year, Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwon expressed heartfelt gratitude to voters for their support. However, the political landscape is now set for significant changes as the ruling Pheu Thai Party has decided to exclude the PPRP from the new coalition government. Following a crucial MP party meeting on Tuesday, Pheu Thai’s secretary-general Sorawong Thienthong announced that the party’s executive committee will be asked to leave PPRP out of the coalition.
Mr. Sorawong elaborated on the dissatisfaction among party MPs regarding PPRP’s actions, specifically pointing fingers at Gen Prawit Wongsuwon. The tipping point came when Gen Prawit failed to appear during a pivotal vote for electing Paetongtarn Shinawatra as prime minister in the House on August 16. This absence did not sit well with the party members.
When questioned about the possibility of inviting the opposition Democrat Party to join the coalition, Mr. Sorawong mentioned that Pheu Thai would need to rally support from multiple parties to fortify the government’s stability. Apart from the Democrat Party, there are several parties on Pheu Thai’s radar, including a faction of six renegade MPs from the Thai Sang Thai Party who sided with Ms. Paetongtarn in the prime ministerial vote.
Insiders within Pheu Thai revealed suspicions that Gen Prawit also missed another significant vote to elect Srettha Thavisin as premier last year. Adding fuel to the fire, the MPs suspected that Gen Prawit might be linked to a petition filed by 40 senators urging the Constitutional Court to dismiss Mr. Srettha for appointing Pichit Chuenban, a former convict, as a PM’s Office minister.
On Tuesday, Ms. Paetongtarn stated that the formation of a new cabinet is yet to be finalized owing to internal struggles within the PPRP. “We have to wait for a while,” she mentioned, noting that she will have the final say in appointing cabinet ministers. She added that thorough background checks are in process for all candidates aspiring for cabinet posts.
A policy statement is ready to be presented in parliament once the new ministers are officially endorsed. As a coalition partner, the PPRP had re-nominated the same quartet of MPs from the previous government to serve in the Pheu Thai-led cabinet. In response to any eligibility concerns, the PPRP has pledged to find suitable replacements for the nominees.
Caretaker Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister and PPRP secretary-general Captain Thamanat Prompow claimed to have missed last Friday’s party meeting due to attending a more pressing event. Capt Thamanat said he was in Phayao and Chiang Rai providing assistance to flood victims. The rift between Capt Thamanat and Gen Prawit reportedly stems from differing views on cabinet nominations within the PPRP.
In response to rumors suggesting his involvement with a significant faction in the opposition Democrat Party for a potential deal securing cabinet seats, Capt Thamanat has denied any such negotiations. Media outlets previously reported that Capt Thamanat was struck from the PPRP’s nominated list due to eligibility concerns, which allegedly sparked the discord between him and Gen Prawit.
Phumtham Wechayachai, who assumed the role of acting prime minister after Mr. Srettha’s dismissal by the Constitutional Court, conveyed that the new cabinet line-up is expected to be finalized by the end of the week. Once completed, it will be submitted to His Majesty the King for royal endorsement.
Finally, Prawit is getting what he deserves. PPRP should have been left out a long time ago.
Yeah, but what about stability? PPRP has experience, and without them, the new coalition might struggle.
Experience doesn’t mean much if they disrupt progress. We need unity, not old-school politics.
It’s a balancing act. I see the merit in both perspectives, but sustainability without experience is a risk.
What a mess! How can voters trust any of these parties when they can’t even decide on their own coalition?
True, but isn’t this common in politics? Real trust comes from seeing long-term results, not just promises.
Exactly! Let’s hope Pheu Thai gets it together and presents a united front.
I’ll believe it when I see it. Too many broken promises already.
I’m really concerned about the role of Capt Thamanat. He seems to be more of a wild card than a reliable leader.
You might have a point. His absence at key votes raises suspicions.
People like Capt Thamanat often play both sides. It’s typical in politics, but it doesn’t help the country.
That’s what worries me the most. We need leaders who are genuinely committed, not just playing games.
Everyone’s overlooking the environmental policies amidst all this political drama. What’s the new coalition’s stance?
Good point! But let’s get a stable government first before tackling those issues.
Why is Gen Prawit still in the picture? He should retire already!
Some leaders never know when to quit. It’s about power and influence.
This whole thing is a setup. They’re manipulating us with these fake dramas to distract from the real issues.
That’s a bit too conspiracy-theory for me. Sometimes what’s in front of us is just as it appears.
I think there’s a bit of truth on both sides. Politicians often distract with drama to avoid harder questions.
It’s bizarre that the Democrat Party might join the coalition. How many flips do these politicians have?
At this rate, they’ve turned politics into a circus. It’s hard to take any of them seriously.
It’s always been a circus. We just see it more now thanks to the internet.
Fingers crossed that the final cabinet line-up has fresh faces. The old guard has too much baggage.
Agreed. Fresh blood might bring new ideas and enthusiasm.
I’m skeptical about those ‘thorough background checks’. Are they really going to dig deep or just present a façade?
They’ve got to be thorough. The public won’t tolerate any more scandals.
I hope you’re right. Transparency is key.
People need to relax. Politics is messy everywhere. Let’s see the results before jumping to conclusions.
Doesn’t anyone else think it’s suspicious how many senators seem to play such a pivotal role?
Exactly, it’s almost as if they’re the real power brokers behind the scenes.
That’s how it’s always been. The real power often lies away from the public eye.
I believe in giving Pheu Thai another chance. They might just surprise us this time.
I’d like to believe that too, but their past isn’t exactly clean either.
Hypocrisy at its finest! They accuse others of failing votes when their own leaders have missed crucial meetings.
It’s the pot calling the kettle black. Not much new in that, sadly.
Valid point, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be held accountable. Everyone should be.
Absolutely! Accountability is key, but it should be applied universally.