The current caretake PM has said very little following the rejection of his administration in last weekend’s election.
But yesterday afternoon, following the weekly caretaker cabinet meeting, Prayut Chan-o-cha thanked everyone who voted in Sunday’s general election and congratulated “all parties”. The outgoing PM’s United Thai Nation Party won just 36 seats, having been solidly trounced by progressive opposition parties, even his stablemates Prawit Wongsuwan and the Palang Pracharat Party.
“I would like to congratulate all the parties that have received votes from the people. From now, it’s a transition and formation of a government.”
The day before, Prayut had issued a reminder that he is still PM and remains in charge until a new government is formed.
His military-backed administration suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Move Forward and Pheu Thai parties, putting an end to nearly 10 years of army-backed government. One of his coalition members, the Bhumjaithai Party, also soundly beat the Prayut/Prawit Army-backed rump with 70 MPs in the new parliament.
Prayut has been Thailand’s PM since seizing power in a 2014 military coup that ousted the democratically elected Pheu Thai government of the time.
Meanwhile, it’s been reported that Move Forward is expected to form a coalition with Pheu Thai and several smaller parties. Taking over as PM won’t be straightforward for Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat as any coalition will need to ensure it has the backing of the military-appointed Senate, which has the power to elect the new PM and has traditionally favoured conservative, army-backed candidates.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
