(Bangkok, 26th) The relationship between Thailand's political alliance key members, the Pheu Thai Party and the Bhumjaithai Party, is becoming increasingly tense, raising concerns about the government's stability and its ability to complete its term.
According to the Bangkok Post, after the Bhumjaithai Party was accused of involvement in last year's Senate election fraud, the relationship between the Pheu Thai Party and the Bhumjaithai Party started to become fragile.
Another potential trigger for friction between the two parties is the Bhumjaithai Party's rumored lack of support for the government's upcoming 2026 fiscal budget proposal to the parliament. Thailand's House of Representatives will debate the budget starting May 28. If it fails to pass, it would be tantamount to a vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Phaithongtharn's government, possibly leading to the dissolution of parliament.
Core figures from both the Pheu Thai Party and the Bhumjaithai Party deny any significant disagreements, but rumors about the increasing fragility of the alliance between the two parties are rampant.
A source from the Bhumjaithai Party told the Bangkok Post that overall, internal government cooperation remains smooth, with real challenges stemming from external issues. Some individuals may be attempting to weaken the Bhumjaithai Party's influence within the government or coveting more cabinet positions.
He said, "We hope to focus on work, but we cannot deny the presence of (power struggles)."
It is understood that the Pheu Thai Party intends to vie for the Interior Minister position currently held by Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin. A source from the Pheu Thai Party admitted that the party does indeed wish to control the Ministry of the Interior, as it is a strategic department.
He revealed that the Courageous Moral Party (Kla Tham) within the ruling coalition is actively recruiting other party members to join, so even if the relationship between the Pheu Thai Party and the Bhumjaithai Party fractures, a coalition government led by the Pheu Thai Party could still continue to govern.
However, multiple other sources stated that the relationship between the Pheu Thai Party and the Bhumjaithai Party is mixed with love and hate. The Pheu Thai Party is well aware that, compared to other small parties, the Bhumjaithai Party is a better partner. If the Bhumjaithai Party withdraws from the coalition government, the Pheu Thai Party would have to rely on some small parties, but these parties hold fewer than 10 seats, making it difficult to stabilize the political situation.
In the previous Thai general election, the Bhumjaithai Party won 71 out of 500 seats in the House of Representatives, making it the third-largest party. The then-biggest winner was the now-dissolved Move Forward Party, capturing 151 seats, while the Pheu Thai Party secured 141 seats. However, the Move Forward Party leader Pita failed to get military and conservative support, missing the chance to be elected prime minister, ultimately leading to the Pheu Thai Party's Srettha being chosen as prime minister, heading a coalition government led by the Pheu Thai Party.
Regarding the current relationship between the Pheu Thai Party and the Bhumjaithai Party, Thai political observers believe that the friction between the two parties might be a form of political game, but if not handled carefully, it could affect the ruling coalition and government stability, and possibly plunge Thai politics into turmoil again.
According to the Bangkok Post, after the Bhumjaithai Party was accused of involvement in last year's Senate election fraud, the relationship between the Pheu Thai Party and the Bhumjaithai Party started to become fragile.
Another potential trigger for friction between the two parties is the Bhumjaithai Party's rumored lack of support for the government's upcoming 2026 fiscal budget proposal to the parliament. Thailand's House of Representatives will debate the budget starting May 28. If it fails to pass, it would be tantamount to a vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Phaithongtharn's government, possibly leading to the dissolution of parliament.
Core figures from both the Pheu Thai Party and the Bhumjaithai Party deny any significant disagreements, but rumors about the increasing fragility of the alliance between the two parties are rampant.
A source from the Bhumjaithai Party told the Bangkok Post that overall, internal government cooperation remains smooth, with real challenges stemming from external issues. Some individuals may be attempting to weaken the Bhumjaithai Party's influence within the government or coveting more cabinet positions.
He said, "We hope to focus on work, but we cannot deny the presence of (power struggles)."
It is understood that the Pheu Thai Party intends to vie for the Interior Minister position currently held by Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin. A source from the Pheu Thai Party admitted that the party does indeed wish to control the Ministry of the Interior, as it is a strategic department.
He revealed that the Courageous Moral Party (Kla Tham) within the ruling coalition is actively recruiting other party members to join, so even if the relationship between the Pheu Thai Party and the Bhumjaithai Party fractures, a coalition government led by the Pheu Thai Party could still continue to govern.
However, multiple other sources stated that the relationship between the Pheu Thai Party and the Bhumjaithai Party is mixed with love and hate. The Pheu Thai Party is well aware that, compared to other small parties, the Bhumjaithai Party is a better partner. If the Bhumjaithai Party withdraws from the coalition government, the Pheu Thai Party would have to rely on some small parties, but these parties hold fewer than 10 seats, making it difficult to stabilize the political situation.
In the previous Thai general election, the Bhumjaithai Party won 71 out of 500 seats in the House of Representatives, making it the third-largest party. The then-biggest winner was the now-dissolved Move Forward Party, capturing 151 seats, while the Pheu Thai Party secured 141 seats. However, the Move Forward Party leader Pita failed to get military and conservative support, missing the chance to be elected prime minister, ultimately leading to the Pheu Thai Party's Srettha being chosen as prime minister, heading a coalition government led by the Pheu Thai Party.
Regarding the current relationship between the Pheu Thai Party and the Bhumjaithai Party, Thai political observers believe that the friction between the two parties might be a form of political game, but if not handled carefully, it could affect the ruling coalition and government stability, and possibly plunge Thai politics into turmoil again.