Strong Rebuff to Bhumjaithai Party Leader
The secretary-general of the Democrat Party and deputy interior minister, Decha Isara Khaothong, vowed on Sunday never to support Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul as prime minister. Decha, who is overseeing the controversial Khao Kradong case in Buriram, also pointed to the still unresolved allegations of Senate manipulation in 2024, which continue to hang over the party and its leadership.
Warning of Government Crisis
He issued a stark warning that the current situation posed a far greater threat to Thailand’s governance than a hundred coups combined. These pointed remarks came as the House of Representatives scheduled a preliminary vote this week to elect Thailand’s 32nd prime minister. Political negotiations intensified significantly over the weekend.
Tense Meeting Between Pheu Thai and People’s Party
On Sunday, Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai led a Pheu Thai Party delegation to a meeting with the People’s Party at their headquarters. Observers described the meeting as tense and unproductive. Although the Pheu Thai team opened with an apology for past conflicts, the People’s Party remained unimpressed and showed no reaction.
No agreement reached
The four-member team of the People’s Party, led by Nattapong Ruangpanyawut, showed no signs of shifting its position. What matters is that no agreement was reached. Furthermore, the People’s Party announced that no internal vote among its MPs would take place on Monday. While the party maintains that its executive leadership will formally announce any decision, several sources report that a decision may already have been made.
Schedule for Prime Minister Election
The confirmation of a prime ministerial vote still requires the approval of House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha. Until then, no final steps can be taken. Nevertheless, the first vote is expected on Wednesday, September 3. Despite the deadlock, Phumtham reaffirmed why Pheu Thai believes it remains the best option for forming a government.
Demands of the People’s Party
He emphasized that Pheu Thai’s position remained stronger even after agreeing to key demands from the People’s Party. These demands include the establishment of a transitional government that must step down within four months, as well as a national referendum on replacing the 2017 constitution. That constitution has been widely criticized as undemocratic and has faced ongoing criticism from various political camps for years.
People’s Party stays out of government
The People’s Party reaffirmed that it would not join the next government. However, it pledged to act as a political watchdog outside the coalition. In response, Pheu Thai offered to form a government that would step down within three months. The party also proposed using the 1997 constitution as a model for the new draft.
Delegation of Senior Politicians
That constitution was widely praised for its democratic structure before being annulled by a military coup in 2006. Sunday’s delegation included seven senior figures from Pheu Thai. Among them were Justice Minister Thawee Sodsong and Deputy Interior Minister Decha Isara Khaothong. Decha also serves as Secretary-General of the Democratic Party and is the current Member of Parliament for Songkhla in southern Thailand.
Decha’s Personal Statement
After the meeting, he held a press conference at the Democratic Party headquarters in Bangkok. He said he had attended the meeting as a political ally, not in his official party capacity. He added that Democratic Party leader Chalermchai Sri-on had full authority to respond to the evolving situation. On Sunday, the Democratic Party executive backed this approach.
Clear Rejection of Anutin
Decha was firm in his stance. He declared that he would not vote for Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul as prime minister. He also noted that the ongoing Senate election scandal was more damaging than “a hundred coups.” Decha said he would have “lost all sense of humanity” if he had ignored the Senate collusion controversy. He called for the dissolution of parliament within two to three months.
Responsibility for Key Issues
As deputy interior minister, Decha is responsible for the Khao Kradong land dispute and other key administrative matters. He is also being briefed on investigations into the 2024 Senate elections, which are currently in the hands of the Election Commission and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). These investigations have implicated senior Bhumjaithai Party figures in alleged election manipulation, further complicating the political situation.
Public Opinion Against Alliance
In the meantime, public opinion reflects strong resistance to a reported alliance between the People’s Party and Bhumjaithai. On August 31, the Pacific Institute of Management released the results of a national survey of 1,500 respondents. According to the data, 30.5% of respondents opposed such an alliance, while 12.9% strongly opposed it. Only 13.5% expressed support for the alliance.
Motives for Possible Cooperation
The survey also asked why people believe the People’s Party might support Bhumjaithai. 42.5% said the motive would be to help 44 members of parliament facing legal pressure. 17.4% believed it would reflect political alignment. 15.5% cited support for Anutin as prime minister, while 10.4% said it would help advance political initiatives. The majority sees negative consequences from such a coalition.
Expected Statement and Uncertain Future
The People’s Party is expected to issue a public statement on Monday. Until then, no formal coalition can be confirmed, and no prime ministerial vote can move forward. At present, no bloc has a clear path to forming a government without the support of the People’s Party. How the progressive People’s Party chooses to use its position will shape both the party itself and the country.