By Thai Newsroom Reporters
THE PHEU THAI under de facto party boss Thaksin Shinawatra today (Aug.2) withdrew themselves out of the eight-partner coalition and dumped the Move Forward with intent to set up a brand-new coalition government of their own.
In a press conference at the party’s headquarters, Pheu Thai leader Chonlanan Srikaew confirmed Thaksin’s camp had finally decided to opt out of the coalition earlier led by the Move Forward and to try to set up a coalition government without the Move Forward as a major partner anymore.
Chonlanan said the Pheu Thai has had no choice but to withdraw from the eight-partner coalition and manage to set up a brand-new coalition since non-coalition camps have earlier resolutely turned down offers to join it unless the Move Forward has been dumped out of it.
The Bhumjaithai under de facto party boss Newin Chidchob will very likely join the brand-new Pheu Thai-led coalition now that Thaksin’s camp is doing without the Move Forward.
Nevertheless, Chonlanan did not either confirm or deny speculation that an “uncle’s camp”, namely the Palang Pracharath led by Prawit “Uncle Pom” Wongsuwan or the Ruam Thai Sang Chart under de facto party boss/caretaker prime minister Prayut “Uncle Tu” Chan-o-cha, might probably be brought into the new Pheu Thai-led coalition.
Very likely to join the Pheu Thai with 141 MPs are the Democrats with 25 MPs, the Chart Pattana with 10 MPs, the Prachachart with nine MPs in addition to the Bhumjaithai with 71 MPs, plus those of splinter parties to make a majority of 260-plus MPs.
The Move Forward has resolutely insisted that they be part of the original coalition consisting of the eight partners and led by the Pheu Thai after Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat had failed to land himself the elected premiership due to inadequacy of yea votes in last month’s joint House/Senate meeting.
Chonlanan confirmed the brand-new Pheu Thai coalition will definitely name real estate tycoon/Pheu Thai candidate Srettha Thavisin for prime minister.
It remains to be seen how those among the rank and file of Thaksin’s camp will manage to woo solid support from among the unelected senators for Srettha, known as personally associated with deposed prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
All 249 senators had been handpicked by both “Uncle Pom” and “Uncle Tu” following the 2014 coup orchestrated by the latter.
The Pheu Thai contestant for prime minister will need a minimum of 375 votes, accounting for more than half the combined total of MPs and senators in the upcoming Friday’s joint House/Senate session.
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Top and Front Page: Pheu Thai party leader Chonlanan Srikaew, centre, flanked by deputy leader Phumtham Wechayachai, left, and secretary-general Prasert Chanthararuangthong, right, at today’s press conference. Photos: Thai Rath
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