BANGKOK: In a bold move aimed at shattering the prevailing political deadlock, Thailand’s election runners-up have struck a significant new coalition deal with a government-aligned party. This strategic alliance comes as a response to the staunch resistance posed by military and pro-royalist senators, who have been hindering progress.
Despite emerging victorious in May’s polls with the most seats, the reformist Move Forward Party (MFP) found itself short of a majority. The MFP, excluded later from a progressive coalition, has been unable to translate its electoral success into effective governance.
In a remarkable bid to navigate this intricate deadlock, the Pheu Thai party, a formidable contender to the MFP, has announced a new coalition partnership. This groundbreaking collaboration has also secured the participation of the Bhumjaithai party, taking the total number of parliamentary seats to 212.
A previous coalition, comprising eight parties and led by the MFP, failed to secure the election of Pita Limjaroenrat as Prime Minister. This setback arose due to opposition from senators appointed by the junta, who disagreed with Pita’s commitment to reform Thailand’s stringent laws regarding royal defamation.
Last week, Pheu Thai declared the exclusion of the MFP from the coalition due to differences regarding lese-majeste reform, a stance that hindered support for Pita’s candidacy.
Bhumjaithai, part of the army-backed coalition government elected in controversial 2019 elections, was among the parties opposing the MFP’s inclusion.
Following negotiations, the leader of Pheu Thai, Chonlanan Srikaew, announced a coalition agreement with Bhumjaithai, aiming to surmount the ongoing political deadlock. He thanked Bhumjaithai for accepting the invitation and emphasized overcoming this deadlock.
Chonlanan further underscored the collective determination of both Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai to actively seek support from other political entities, an endeavor designed to facilitate the much-needed formation of a cohesive and effective government.
Emergence of New Coalition in Thailand
Highlighting the terms of their engagement, Bhumjaithai’s leader, Anutin Charnvirakul, delineated three key conditions for their acceptance that include abandonment of the lese-majeste amendment and continued exclusion of the MFP from the coalition.
Pheu Thai is often associated with the Shinawatra political clan, which includes two former prime ministers who were ousted by military coups in 2006 and 2014.
Last week, Pheu Thai put businessman Strettha Thavisin as their nominee for prime minister. Chonlanan reaffirmed on Monday that Strettha Thavisin remains the coalition’s candidate for the role of prime minister.
