Pita takes Pheu Thai to task for about-face on ‘uncles’ camps’

By Thai Newsroom Reporters

MOVE FORWARD LEADER PITA Limjaroenrat today (Aug.13) took the Pheu Thai to task for evidently turning an about-face only to bring “the uncles’ camps” into their coalition.

Without naming names, Pita told Move Forward supporters at a by-election campaign rally in Rayong that the Pheu Thai as core of the current coalition has gone back on their word by having the Palang Pracharath led by Prawit “Uncle Pom” Wongsuwan and the Ruam Thai Sang Chart under de facto boss/caretaker prime minister Prayut “Uncle Tu” Chan-o-cha jump onto the bandwagon.

The Pheu Thai under de facto boss/deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra had earlier repeatedly told constituents during last May’s electoral campaigns they would never deal with “the uncles’ camps.”

Pita whose progressive party has already been dumped out of the Pheu Thai-led coalition encouraged voters in Rayong’s Constituency 3 to manifest their unwavering antagonism against “the uncles’ camps” by going to the poll and voting the Move Forward candidate for MP in the Sep.10 by-election.

“With the Uncles, Without Us. With Us, Without the Uncles,” has apparently become the Move Forward’s most-mentioned campaign catchphrase which has apparently landed them a surprise triumph in last May’s nationwide election.

According to the Move Forward, their supporters and others, both “Uncle Tu” and “Uncle Pom” have been invariably held accountable for the 2014 coup orchestrated by the former as army chief and allegedly endorsed by the latter and for evidently striving to prolong semi-military rule beyond the May 14 election.

After dumping the Move Forward out of their coalition, the Pheu Thai has unexpectedly brought both uncles’ camps into it with all the Palang Pracharath MPs including “Uncle Pom” and all the Ruam Thai Sang Chart MPs being expected to cast yea votes alongside those of the Pheu Thai, Bhumjaithai and splinter parties for Pheu Thai candidate Srettha Thavisin for prime minister in a joint House/Senate meeting later this month.

Move Forward MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn said many people nationwide could not help envying those in Constituency 3 of the eastern province for having the first opportunity to express their vehement, unwavering opposition to both uncles’ pursuit of prolonged power.

Wiroj said recent political developments surrounding the Pheu Thai have obviously signified Thaksin’s camp’s desperate reliance on both uncles at the expense of their own voters’ trust earlier endowed through the nationwide election.

He said many of those who went to the polls on May 14 picked the candidates of Thaksin’s camp because they spontaneously believed that they would be constantly, strongly opposed to both uncles’ desperate efforts to prolong rule.

CAPTION:

Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat with his party’s candidate for the Rayong by-election Mr. Phongsathorn Sornphetnarin. Photo above: Naewna, below: Matichon, and Front Page: Thai Rath