Despite a campaign pledge to never align with pro-junta political parties, Pheu Thai has gone and done just that, in a desperate bid to form a new government in the lower house. This move, including the votes from the other ‘uncle’ party – Palang Pracharat – guarantees the party a majority in the lower House, with 314 seats (this number changes by the hour as smaller parties drop in and out of the new coalition).
United Thai Nation is the party of caretaker PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, former foe of Pheu Thai. Akaradej Wongpitakroj, United Thai Nation MP, says the agreement between his party and Pheu Thai is a “done deal” and will allow the country to “march forward and promote harmony among the people”.
According to a Nation Thailand report, Akaradej adds that his party decided to join the coalition as Pheu Thai has promised no plans to reform the controversial lèse-majesté law.
With the Pheu Thai-led coalition now having over half the seats in the lower House, the chance of a minority government has been eliminated.
Pheu Thai expects to get more than enough support for its candidate, Srettha Thavisin, during the PM vote on Tuesday, August 22. Several parties, including the Palang Pracharath Party, which has 40 MPs, have confirmed they will vote for Srettha. But Srettha will still need votes from the Senate to get over the magic 376 votes – a majority in a sitting of the two Houses of Parliament.
While on the campaign trail, Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew stated that his party would never join forces with either Palang Pracharath or United Thai Nation, the two military-backed parties.
He vowed to resign if such a thing were to happen.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
