(Bangkok, 21st) The latest developments in the Thai political scene reveal that the coalition government led by Anutin Charnvirakul will retain five “central quota” ministerial positions, covering key areas such as Deputy Prime Minister (Legal Affairs), Finance, Commerce, Foreign Affairs, and Energy. Negotiations are ongoing regarding the specific candidates and departmental allocation.
According to reports, Polwongsak Uwano has once again been listed as a strong candidate for Deputy Prime Minister (Legal Affairs). Other central quota candidates include: Sihasap Ongkecho, set to serve as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister; Ekniti Nitithanpapas, expected to be Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister; and Supachit Sutthaphon, nominated as Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister. The candidate for Energy Minister is still being sought.
The reports state that within the ruling coalition led by the Bhumjaithai Party, five central quota slots will be reserved. According to the distribution ratio, there will be an average of one cabinet position for every ten MPs. Bhumjaithai Party, with 193 MPs, is expected to obtain 19 cabinet posts; Pheu Thai Party, with 74 MPs, will get 7 seats; the remaining four seats will be allocated to ruling partners including Thai Civilized Party (6 seats), Palang Pracharath Party (5 seats and 4 seats), and other small parties.
However, the report makes it clear that the Krathatan Party, which has 58 seats, will not be joining the new government. Despite a consensus to avoid direct confrontation, fierce competition during the election led to Bhumjaithai’s loss in multiple constituencies, with the “blue ticket” support rate noticeably declining. Analysts believe that Krathatan Party has employed similar election strategies as Bhumjaithai for a long time, and is regarded as their main rival.
The report also points out that if the Krathatan Party were to join the government, the total number of seats in the ruling coalition would exceed the required threshold, potentially breaking the “one minister for every ten MPs” distribution ratio and thereby affecting political stability. In addition, internal local factions within the Bhumjaithai Party are actively competing for cabinet positions, further complicating negotiations.
Meanwhile, the Krathatan Party has begun discussing the assignment of its original departments, such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports; Bhumjaithai hopes Supachit could oversee both the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Agriculture to achieve better performance outcomes.
It has also been reported that Captain Thammanat Prompao, chairman of the Krathatan Party’s advisory committee, is still seeking a ministerial position. The Bhumjaithai Party leadership is concerned that this move may prompt a petition to the Constitutional Court for an interpretation of the prime minister’s qualifications, adding further political uncertainty.
The reports state that within the ruling coalition led by the Bhumjaithai Party, five central quota slots will be reserved. According to the distribution ratio, there will be an average of one cabinet position for every ten MPs. Bhumjaithai Party, with 193 MPs, is expected to obtain 19 cabinet posts; Pheu Thai Party, with 74 MPs, will get 7 seats; the remaining four seats will be allocated to ruling partners including Thai Civilized Party (6 seats), Palang Pracharath Party (5 seats and 4 seats), and other small parties.
However, the report makes it clear that the Krathatan Party, which has 58 seats, will not be joining the new government. Despite a consensus to avoid direct confrontation, fierce competition during the election led to Bhumjaithai’s loss in multiple constituencies, with the “blue ticket” support rate noticeably declining. Analysts believe that Krathatan Party has employed similar election strategies as Bhumjaithai for a long time, and is regarded as their main rival.
The report also points out that if the Krathatan Party were to join the government, the total number of seats in the ruling coalition would exceed the required threshold, potentially breaking the “one minister for every ten MPs” distribution ratio and thereby affecting political stability. In addition, internal local factions within the Bhumjaithai Party are actively competing for cabinet positions, further complicating negotiations.
Meanwhile, the Krathatan Party has begun discussing the assignment of its original departments, such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports; Bhumjaithai hopes Supachit could oversee both the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Agriculture to achieve better performance outcomes.
It has also been reported that Captain Thammanat Prompao, chairman of the Krathatan Party’s advisory committee, is still seeking a ministerial position. The Bhumjaithai Party leadership is concerned that this move may prompt a petition to the Constitutional Court for an interpretation of the prime minister’s qualifications, adding further political uncertainty.