Sarkhan:First Coalition
Title: Political Parties Navigate Coalition Formation Amidst Public Pressure
Several political parties in Thailand are currently engaged in discussions and negotiations to form a coalition government following the recent elections. The main focus of these deliberations revolves around the Future Forward Party (FFP) and its demand for support to elect Mr. Phitha as the Prime Minister. While the FFP received a significant number of votes, other parties are carefully considering their stances and policy alignments before committing to a decision.
The ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), led by Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, has acknowledged the gratitude owed to the people for exercising their voting rights. However, when asked about the specifics of the new government and discussions with opposition parties, Gen. Prayut stated that it is not yet the appropriate time to reveal those details.
Similarly, the Pheu Thai (PTP) party, represented by Deputy Minister of Labor Mr. Suchart Chomklin, emphasized the need for internal party discussions and policy alignment with the FFP. While acknowledging the significance of the FFP's support, Mr. Suchart expressed the party's hesitation to fully commit without evaluating the policies and demands put forward by Mr. Phitha.
The Pheu Thais Party, on the other hand, made it clear that they do not support a Prime Minister who aims to amend or revoke Article 112 of the Criminal Code, commonly known as the lese-majeste law. They emphasized their commitment to protect important national institutions and stated that even if such demands succeed, they will continue to scrutinize the government's work for the benefit of the people. (This foreshadowing their events forward in the third act)
In the midst of these negotiations, the Prachaphithai Party (PTP) underscored their earlier declaration of listening to the people's voices in the election. As the Kao Klai party garnered the highest number of votes, the PTP stated their willingness to support Mr. Phitha as the Prime Minister without any conditions, provided the Kao Klai party can gather sufficient support in the House of Representatives to form a government.
The coalition formation process is unfolding against the backdrop of public pressure and expectations. The FFP's demand for widespread support has created a complex dynamic among the political parties, with each assessing their policy alignments and potential implications of forming a coalition. While the formation of a new government remains uncertain, discussions and negotiations continue, with parties deliberating the implications and consequences of their decisions on the country's political landscape.
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Analysis of the First Coalition Government
The formation of the coalition government led by the Pita's party: MFP, under the leadership of Mr. Pita Limjaroenrat, has generated optimism and positive reactions among the five allied parties. The coalition comprises the Phak Phuea Thai (For Thais Party), Phak Thai Sang Thai (Thai Nation Party), Phak Seree Romyen Thai (Thai Liberal Party), พรรคประชาชาติ (Prachachat Party), and Phak Pen Tham (Justice Party). The leaders of these parties gathered at Chez Miline restaurant on Soi Sukhothai, Dusit district, Bangkok, on May 17th, 2566, at 16:00.
The news reports indicate that the leaders expressed their satisfaction and confidence in the coalition government, displaying unity and posing for photos together. They emphasized that there would be a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing, scheduled for May 18th at 10:00. Additionally, two more parties joined the coalition, bringing the total number of parties to eight, with a combined vote count of 313. Mr. Rom stated that the MOU marked the closure of the 272 House and the country was moving forward. He reiterated that Article 112 would not be an obstacle for the coalition and emphasized their original stance, challenging those who opposed them in the parliament, particularly the Future Forward Party (S.W.).
It is noteworthy that the "Big Tu" of the Progressive Movement (S.W.) expressed reservations about supporting the new government and confirmed that it was not yet the right time to make any decisions. Similarly, the Prachatham Party's leader, Mr. Alongkorn, prepared to oppose the government formation and stated that the Pheu Thai Party would not support the prime minister candidate, Mr. Thim, if they did not resolve Article 112. Meanwhile, the Democrat Party, led by Mr. Abhisit, planned to vote for Mr. Tim as the prime minister.
The progress of the coalition government formed by the Future Forward Party (S.W.) under the leadership of Mr. Phitha Limpajaroen was closely followed by the media. The leaders of the coalition parties, including Mr. Phitha, Mr. Chaiwat, Ms. Sirikan, and Mr. Picharn, traveled from their party headquarters to Chez Miline restaurant on Soi Sukhothai. They arrived at 14:50, and Mr. Phitha stated that the meeting would focus on the clarity and independence of their future work, ensuring that no misunderstandings would arise.
He further explained that discussions would cover the progress of the political situation, celebrations of the election results, and the upcoming press conference scheduled for the following day, May 18th. He concluded his statement by affirming their confidence in forming a government. At 15:15, Mr. Phitha, accompanied by the coalition leaders, arrived at Chez Miline restaurant, where they were joined by Ms. Panikar and Pol. Col. Suthasarin.
The five parties that participated in the gathering were Phak Pen Tham (Justice Party), Phak Pheu Thai (For Thais Party), Phak Seree Romyen Thai (Thai Liberal Party), Phak Thai Sang Thai (Thai Nation Party), and Phak Prachachat (Democrat Party). Their respective leaders, along with other party representatives, were present to discuss the establishment of the coalition government.
Overall, the formation of the first coalition government led by the Phitha party has sparked positive reactions among the allied parties. The leaders displayed unity and expressed confidence in their ability to establish a government. However, future challenges, such as Article 112
Phitha Confidently Forms Calm Government
According to news reports, the discussions that began at 16:00 took a total of two hours and concluded at 18:00. However, the coalition leaders did not hold a press conference or provide a summary of the discussions. Instead, they posed for media photographs, including group shots and raising their hands, without conducting any interviews.
Mr. Phitha briefly stated, "Everything is going well. We will hold another press conference on May 18th at 10:00, but the location has not been determined yet."
At 18:10, Mr. Thanatthorn Jangwang and Mr. Piyabut Saengkanokkul, the chairman and secretary-general of the Progressive Movement, arrived at the venue for discussions. The reporters attempted to inquire whether there would be additional topics discussed during the meeting, but Mr. Piyabut replied that it was not related to him. He explained that he was only present as an assistant seeking votes, and today they were there to celebrate. He invited everyone to join them for a meal.
Finally, at 20:00, Mr. Phitha and the coalition leaders left the restaurant. Mr. Phitha mentioned that they would provide a clear press conference on May 18th at the Okura Prestige Hotel, where they could share the details.
When asked if they were satisfied with the discussions that took place today, Mr. Phitha smiled and said they were satisfied and pleased to be able to establish the government. He reiterated their desire for participation, clarity, and stability in forming the government. Regarding the MOU, he mentioned that it would be clarified in tomorrow's press conference.
At 20:10, Gen. Chalanan Srikaw, the leader of the Social Power Party, returned and gave an interview. He revealed that they had received confirmation that two more parties, the New Social Power Party with one seat and the Power of Thai Unity Party with two seats, would join the coalition government. This increased the total number of parties to eight, with 313 seats.
Earlier in the morning, Mr. Chaiwat Tulathon, the secretary-general of the Future Forward Party, who had attended the 31st anniversary commemoration of the May 18 Democratic Uprising at Sanam Luang, was interviewed regarding today's discussions about the government formation. He clarified that the discussions today were preliminary and did not delve into the details of the MOU, as this process would take place later.
When asked if the discussions aimed to gain the support of those opposing Mr. Phitha without involving them in the government, Mr. Chaiwat stated that it was not the role of the Progressive Movement to interfere with the decision-making of other political parties. Today, the focus was on discussions within the new coalition government.
"If there is an opportunity, we will coordinate and have discussions with the Future Forward Party as much as possible to foster understanding and alleviate any concerns they may have towards the Progressive Movement. However, we are not worried about engaging in discussions with them, as open and sincere dialogue is probably the best approach. We believe that many Future Forward Party members have the wisdom not to obstruct political progress," emphasized the secretary-general of the Progressive Movement.
Addressing and Resolving Section 112: No Obstacle
Mr. Rangsima Rom, the spokesperson for the Progressive Movement, stated that the current government formation process is underway. The ongoing process involves closing the switch of Article 272, which allows for the establishment of a government through the normal mechanism. With more than 250 votes in parliament, the threshold required, and the Progressive Movement securing 310 votes from various parties, the resulting government will be strong and capable of driving various policies. The establishment of the government is a collective responsibility that all parties must contribute to.
"The Future Forward Party (FFP) is one of the parties participating in the vote for the prime minister, including some parties that will be in opposition. If there is a push to close the switch of Article 272, the country will move forward without conflicts. The outcome of the election held on May 14th clearly reflects which party ranks first or second. If we respect the rules, which align with the aspirations of the people, everything will be concluded," said Mr. Rangsima.
When asked about the FFP specifying that they should receive more than 376 votes, Mr. Rangsima explained that closing the switch of Article 272 was an effort that had been ongoing since the proposed amendment to the constitution. The FFP voted to elect the prime minister, but in reality, even if Article 272 is not closed now, it will eventually be closed. The Progressive Movement, being the first-ranking party, should form the government. Every party has a duty to push for such a process. If the FFP asks us to receive more than half of the votes from both chambers, it might create a perception that the will of the people, as expressed in the vote, is not respected. We understand that there is discontent, but this is about unlocking the desired legislation of the people. Therefore, we shouldn't create conditions that ignore the people's voices.
When questioned about leaning on other parties to vote for Mr. Phitha as prime minister, Mr. Rangsima stated that they need to talk to all parties. There were some MPs who voted to close the switch of Article 272, and we want everyone to help restore normalcy in this case. Establishing the government and electing the prime minister through Article 272 are two separate matters.
Additionally, Mr. Seri Suwannapanon, Chairman of the Political Development Council of the Senate, has established a working group to examine Mr. Phitha and the Progressive Movement on various issues, such as media shareholdings and the policy to amend Section 112. Mr. Rangsima expressed the Progressive Movement's willingness to be scrutinized but emphasized the need for investigations to be conducted with the aim of presenting evidence and facts rather than having political motives. If the Council of Senators uses meeting allowances and state resources, which may be seen as using the parliament to suppress the Progressive Movement from forming the government, it will face criticism and create animosity.
"As for the amendment of Section 112, it should have been proposed for examination a long time ago because we have been proposing it for years. Therefore, the proposal for examination is viewed as a political matter. Regarding media shareholdings, the process is following the normal procedures. When we turned on the television today, we did not see any IT channel, so we are not worried because there has been a constitutional court ruling that having shares does not lead to monopoly," stated Mr. Rangsima.
The Progressive Movement's spokesperson emphasized that the party wanted to establish a government composed of parties that had previously worked together. The discussions did not touch upon the allocation of ministerial positions. Instead, they focused on the direction the country should take and the policies to be implemented. After examining various parties,
Urging the Senate (สว.) to Listen to the People's Voice
While Mr. Cholnan Srikaew, the leader of the Pheu Thai Party (PTP), was interviewed in the morning, he stated that the government formation should give rights and honors to the Progressive Movement as the leading party in establishing the government. Therefore, the discussions to be held with the Progressive Movement will be determined by them, regarding what they want and how deep they want to delve into the details. This is because it will be an official party-level meeting for the first time.
"The conditions I announced clearly define the guidelines, but the issues for negotiation and various conditions are the main responsibility of the leading party. Thus, it will be their main role to propose. We don't have conditions to negotiate. We will see what proposals the leading party has made and determine if they are suitable for us. That's it," said Mr. Cholnan.
The leader of the PTPalso mentioned that Mr. Phitha had previously stated that this election was a plebiscite and a mandate from the people, with more than 300 votes granted to the pro-democracy side. With the current 310 votes, it is considered a substantial number of votes. Therefore, the Senate should acknowledge the majority voice of the people.
When asked if the PTP would assist the MFP in gaining additional votes if they are unable to gather enough support, Mr. Cholnan stated that it would be an alternative if the FFP does not have enough votes from the Senate. However, whether this scenario will happen or not remains to be seen since there are significant votes on both sides. Both sides need to decide jointly to ensure the effectiveness of this coalition. It could involve negotiations with the FFP and the MPs who voted for them. Generally, the principle of the MPs is that nothing is free in this world, especially in politics. If they vote for someone, they must have conditions to benefit from that decision, which is joining the government to push policies.
Regarding the question of whether 310 votes are sufficient for establishing a government, Mr. Cholnan stated that it would be the strongest and most suitable government. Going beyond this number would resemble the 377 votes government under the Thai Rak Thai Party, where it led to the abuse of power in the parliamentary dictatorship. Hence, the parliament must not be used as a tool to negotiate power. He stressed the need to be cautious to prevent it from being manipulated.
When asked if there is a possibility that the PPP might form a coalition with other factions in the current government, in case they do not cooperate with the FFP, Mr. Cholnan confirmed that it is not possible. If the PPP does not cooperate with the FFP, the FFP will not be able to move forward. However, the PPP accepts the plebiscite of the people. They have no conditions.
"Even though we may be a beautiful bride, we have never decided to bring along a gold dowry. It's up to the person proposing to us to decide. We will see if it suits us or not. That's all," said Mr. Cholnan.
When asked if the government formation process could be completed within three months, Mr. Cholnan stated that considering the necessity, it should be completed for the sake of the country and the people. If it is delayed further, it will only result in damage. All parties desire peace, which should be collectively built. Unless one party desires unrest to be used as a means of power. Thus, caution must be exercised to prevent it from becoming a tool for them.
He reiterated that whether a situation arises that hampers the establishment of the government or not, even if the voices are
New Government Not Yet Finalized
On the same day, Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha and Cabinet Minister Gen. Anupong Paochinda expressed their gratitude to the people for exercising their voting rights in a video clip. When asked about what the new government, currently in the process of formation, will offer, Gen. Prayut stated that it is not the time yet and the matter is still undergoing a process. When pressed further if discussions about the government formation will take place with the opposition parties today, Gen. Prayut did not respond to the question and raised his hand to decline answering.
Regarding the case of societal pressure on the Future Forward Party (FFP) to elect Mr. Phitha as the Prime Minister, Gen. Prayut stated that it would be done according to the law and the Constitution.
Mr. Suchart Chomklin, Deputy Minister of Labor and member of the Prachatham Thai (PTP) party, discussed the party's standpoint after Mr. Phitha demanded that all political parties vote for him to become the Prime Minister to prevent a deadlocked situation. Mr. Suchart stated that it is a matter for them to discuss internally. He urged for calmness as they do not yet know how many votes they will receive after the certification of the MPs. He emphasized that he, as an executive of the party, cannot answer on behalf of the party since he is not a party executive committee member. However, personally, he does not share the same policy or ideology as the FFP. Mr. Phitha received 30% of the votes from the total of 14 million voters, which is less than half.
"We have to reflect on ourselves, just like a confused child eating candy. They call it a sweet smile, but it must be seen in terms of cause and effect. Many party leaders have already given interviews. Each party has its own standpoint and policies. How can they negotiate with each other? Each party has its own policy and standpoint to gain votes. Even if the people chose them with 1-2 million votes, it was because of these policies. If we help those whose policies are not the same, how will we coexist?" said Mr. Suchart.
He reiterated that the decision of not voting against was not about disrespecting the people's voices. He stated that they only received 14 million votes out of 40 million. If those who voted for them were 4 million because they did not support Mr. Phitha's party policy, then how can they return home if they voted for Mr. Phitha?
Regarding the Proud Thais Party, they released a statement that they do not support a Prime Minister who aims to amend or revoke Article 112 of the Criminal Code, known as the lese-majeste law. They stated that even if the demand to support a Prime Minister who aims to amend or revoke Article 112 of the Criminal Code succeeds, it will not affect their party or its members' determination and standpoint. They will continue to review the government's work for the benefit of the people and protect important national institutions.
"If the government formation with the policy of amending or revoking Article 112 of the Criminal Code succeeds, the Proud Thais Party is ready to oppose and scrutinize the government's work for the benefit of the people and protect important national institutions," stated the statement.
As for Mr. Arnon Phunthong, Deputy Leader of the Prachaphithai Party (PTP), he posted on Facebook under the topic "Government Transition Must Be Smooth and Swift," stating that the Prachaphithai Party clearly declared during the election campaign that they would listen to the people's voices in the election and determine the party
's stance after knowing the election results. As the "Kao Klai" party received the highest number of votes in the country, both in constituency and party-list systems, the Prachaphithai Party must respect the people's voices by voting to support Mr. Phitha as the Prime Minister without any conditions. If the Kao Klai Party can gather significant support in the House of Representatives, they can successfully form a government.
"Based on this direction, I will propose this to the party's caretaker committee, which will have a meeting next week, including party leaders and members from all over the country," said Mr. Arnon.
Aftermath
Bruh moment when one Pm gets replaced by another PM
