A member of the Thai Senate says other names could be put forward for the PM role and that the Move Forward leader doesn’t have to be the sole candidate. His comment is actually reiterating what would actually happen for the nomination and election of a prime minister under Thailand’s 2017 constitution.
According to a Bangkok Post report, Akanit Muensawad says if additional candidates are nominated for the top job, senators are not required to vote for Pita Limjaroenrat.
The senator was responding to Move Forward supporters, who are piling pressure on senators not to thwart Pita’s bid for PM. Akanit says if more names are put forward for the role, senators can vote for the person they think is best suited, in terms of both capability and ethics.
In that instance, he says the Senate cannot be blamed if Pita doesn’t get the required 376 votes. Akanit also says that if MPs could provide enough votes for a PM to be elected, senators wouldn’t have to be involved at all.
“Well, they should gather 376 votes from MPs from the beginning, then senators will totally opt out of voting (to select the new PM) altogether. You will become the government if you get 376 votes right from the beginning. Can you? Don’t make it sound like the Senate’s fault.”
Akanit also touched on Move Forward’s policy on reforming the armed forces, with the senator saying this should be a matter for the armed forces themselves, not politicians. He goes on to say the MFP is basing its policy on the organisational structure of the US military, which wouldn’t work in Thailand.
It’s believed MFP’s reforms would put an end to conscription and abolish Thailand’s Defence Council, Internal Security Operation Command, and military court.
Meanwhile, Senator Jate Siratharanont says there’s no chance of holding talks with the Move Forward Party with a view to Pita becoming PM. According to Jate, the party’s alleged plans to amend Thailand’s lèse-majesté law is a major deterrent for many senators.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
