(Bangkok, 2nd) Former Member of the Thai Parliament and former MP for Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thepthai, posted a video and text on his personal Facebook page yesterday, expressing his views on the current government formation deadlock. He pointed directly at the People's Party for its continued lack of clear stance, causing uncertainty regarding the prime minister candidate.
Thepthai pointed out that the tug-of-war between the Pheu Thai Party and Bhumjaithai Party over leadership of the coalition negotiations is ongoing, while the key swing party, the People's Party, has yet to clearly support either Anutin or Chaikasem as the next prime minister. Although House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor has announced that a meeting will be held from September 3rd to 5th, a majority consensus has yet to be reached, and voting for the prime minister continues to be postponed.
He stated that if the People's Party remains indecisive, the House will still not be able to complete the prime ministerial vote this week, further prolonging the stalemate. This delay, he explained, would especially benefit the People's Party, as they are unwilling to see anyone other than the above-mentioned two assume the premiership.
Thepthai warned that if the stalemate continues, the political scene may hit a dead end. If the People's Party goes back on its commitment and refuses to vote according to the original plan, the Pheu Thai Party and Thaksin’s camp will be forced to take action, perhaps renegotiating with conservative forces. At that time, former Prime Minister Prayut could potentially return as a "neutral prime minister," forcing Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai to accept such an arrangement.
He emphasized that the main opposition to Prayut becoming prime minister again comes from the People's Party. Therefore, in order to quickly end the power struggle and avoid a political deadlock, the People's Party must make an immediate decision and clearly support a new prime minister.