Three coalition parties have vowed to support Pheu Thai’s candidate for the premiership, on the condition that the party does not seek any changes to the lèse majesté law (Criminal Code 112).
Bhumjaithai party leader Anutin Charnvirakul said today that the party respects the tradition that Pheu Thai, which is the coalition’s core party, is entitled to nominate its candidate for the prime minister’s post to the House.
Chaikasem Nitisiri, a former attorney-general and justice minister, is tipped to be the Pheu Thai party’s first choice as the new prime minister, but many party MPs would prefer Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the party leader and youngest daughter of paroled former prime minister Thaksin. They reason that most of the party’s supporters want her to be prime minister and they want to ensure that the “digital wallet” scheme remains intact. Another reason cited for preferring Paetongtarn is Chaikasem’s health.
The party’s executive committee and MPs will decide this late afternoon who will be the party’s candidate for the premiership.
The House is due to vote for a new prime minister in a special session tomorrow.
Anutin also said that the coalition parties are still together, adding that whether the cabinet portfolios remain unchanged will depend on the new prime minister.
As far as the lèse majesté law is concerned, Anutin said that the party reveres the monarchy and, therefore, will not touch the law.
The Palang Pracharath party told a press conference today that the party will support either of the two Pheu Thai candidates, Paetongtarn or Chaikasem, and hopes that the party’s quota of four cabinet seats will remain unchanged.
Regarding the lèse majesté law, Thammanat Prompao, the deputy party leader, said they uphold and revere the monarchy.
United Thai Nation party leader Pirapan Salirathavibhaga said that, as a matter of political etiquette, the party must support a candidate from the Pheu Thai party, to ensure continuity of the government’s policies, adding that he is satisfied with the performance of the party’s ministers during the previous administration.
Meanwhile, the main opposition People’s party announced today that it will not vote for the Pheu Thai party’s candidate and will focus on doing its job in opposition.
Main photo: United Thai Nation party leader Pirapan Salirathavibhaga
