In a unanimous decision made at a meeting yesterday, the Move Forward Party resolved that it will not vote for Pheu Thai’s PM candidate. Confirming the decision, party secretary-general Chaithawat Tulathon told the media that to vote for Pheu Thai’s candidate, Srettha Thavisin, would be to betray voters.
In other news today we learn that the Election Commission has decided to dismiss its case against Pita Limjareonrat regarding the his inactive media shares in cable TV enterprise ITV.
Nation Thailand reports that Move Forward’s spokesperson says that Move Forward doesn’t want to be linked in any way with the formation of the new government. Pheu Thai is coming under fire from some of its supporters for having invited the Bhumjaithai Party into its coalition and for seemingly courting other pro-junta parties.
“We consider the current endeavour to establish a government contrasts with the will of the people, which was exhibited by the result of the May 14 election.”
Chaithawat adds that the decision to not vote for Srettha was based on feedback received after canvassing Move Forward supporters and members.
Move Forward had a decisive, and unexpected, victory at the polls on May 14, winning 151 seats, with Pheu Thai coming second. However, attempts to elect the Move Forward leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, as PM were thwarted by old guard politicians and the hand-picked, pro-junta Senate.
Move Forward’s campaign pledge to reform Thailand’s controversial lèse-majesté law to prevent it being used as a political tool was the nail in the coffin of Pita’s PM hopes. And so it was that the party that won the election has moved into opposition, while Pheu Thai, the party that came second, leads efforts to form a new government.
According to Chaithawat, voting for Pheu Thai’s PM candidate goes against Move Forward’s stated aim of “switching off” the power of unelected, junta-appointed senators. He says to vote for the Pheu Thai candidate would be tantamount to accepting senators’ desire to reject the will of the people.
He adds that the Pheu Thai-led coalition doesn’t intend to put forward any progressive policies that will benefit the people, saying Pheu Thai clearly has more respect for all political parties than it does for the people of Thailand.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
