People's Party rules out forming government with Anutin as PM
BANGKOK: People's Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut (pic) stated on Friday (June 20) that there is no possibility of the People's Party and Bhumjaithai Party forming a government with Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul as Prime Minister.
Natthaphong made these comments following the political turmoil sparked by the leaked phone call between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen.
He noted that Paetongtarn has lost public confidence, and resignation is not a viable option under the current circumstances. He stated that the only solution is to dissolve the parliament, adding that with the remaining prime ministerial candidates, he believes none can provide a way forward for the country.
He suggested that coalition parties would negotiate with Pheu Thai to secure as many ministerial positions as possible, rather than focusing on the country's issues. Despite this, he acknowledged that the current Pheu Thai government remains united but would operate with a fragile majority, undermining investor confidence.
Natthaphong commented that the opposition might hold a no-confidence debate against the government, and the opposition is ready to fully perform its role as a check on power, pressuring the prime minister to dissolve parliament and return power to the people.
Asked whether the People's Party would form a government with Bhumjaithai Party and nominate Anutin as Prime Minister, he firmly replied, 'Not at all. Our prime ministerial candidate list has been clear from the start—we cannot support anyone for the role at this time to resolve the situation.'
On the issue of unity, Natthaphong expressed that it should always be present, but he opposed using the current internal political conflict and the national situation to fuel populist, nationalist sentiments that could call for extra-constitutional actions.
He stated that the prime minister's visit to Ubon Ratchathani to work with the 2nd Army Region Chief was appropriate and emphasised the importance of maintaining civilian government leadership over the military. He expressed hope that the prime minister would perform her duties well to restore public confidence.
When asked if ongoing protests might lead to actions outside the law, he stated that while people want a change of leadership, there are various ways to achieve it.
'The method we disagree with most is the call for extra-constitutional power leading to a coup,' he said. 'If the people truly want a way out, I believe the most appropriate solution is a new election, allowing the people's voice to decide the country's future.'
When asked about claims from the government side regarding a "snake in the grass" within the People's Party, Natthaphong clarified that he had previously invited anyone with such claims to reveal names for fairness, so that the concerned parties could respond.
He personally expressed confidence in all his fellow party members and reaffirmed that there is no truth to the allegations.
He further stated that the formation of a government depends on the equation at hand, noting that at present, either the People's Party, Pheu Thai, and Bhumjaithai Party must unite to secure a majority and move forward. Natthaphong emphasised that the People's Party's stance remains clear: it will not join the government. - The Nation/ANN
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Thailand's economy teeters as political turmoil threatens recovery efforts
BANGKOK: Thailand's economy is already on the ropes. Consumption has remained tepid despite a government stimulus programme, few of its economic engines are firing, and uncertainty wrought by US President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs means that the Thai economy could grow just over 1% this year. Now, South-East Asia's second-largest economy faces a fresh challenge: a new round of political chaos that can bring down Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra or her ruling Pheu Thai party. "We are currently in a period of economic downturn, with many issues affecting us," Visit Limlurcha, vice chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, told Reuters. "This could make things even more complicated." The most significant short-term concern is the passage of a 3.78 trillion baht (US$115 billion) budget for the 2026 fiscal year, which starts on Oct 1, that must pass through parliament over the next few months. That process could get stalled if Paetongtarn, who is under siege for her handling of a festering border row with neighbouring Cambodia, dissolves parliament and triggers fresh elections. "If parliament is dissolved before the budget is passed, the process will be delayed significantly," said Prakit Siriwattanaket, managing director of Merchant Partners Asset Management. Thailand's economy has lagged regional peers as it struggles under high household debt and borrowing costs, and sluggish demand from China, which is also a key tourism market. It expanded 2.5% last year, and growth could be further halved this year due to US tariffs, Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira said last month. Thailand's stock market has been the worst performing bourse in Asia so far this year, down 23.4%. Industrial sentiment also hit its lowest in eight months in May, even as consumer confidence dropped to a 27-month low. There is a clear need to press ahead with government spending, which has dropped by over 38% annually during April-May 2025, OCBC economists Lavanya Venkateswaran and Jonathan Ng said in a report on Thursday, warning of a "double whammy" for the economy if both government expenditure and exports weaken. Amid the ongoing tumult, Paetongtarn may be able to hang on to her premiership and a coalition led by her Pheu Thai party could retain its majority, albeit in a weaker position compared to its previous grip on the parliament. Such an arrangement will prolong political instability and raise the spectre of street protests, which have been part of previous crises and could hit one of Thailand's key remaining economic engines: tourism. "I'm worried. I don't want the situation to cause people to take to the streets," Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, President of Thai Hotels Association, which represents around 1,000 hospitality establishments, told Reuters. "If they take to the streets, it will hit tourism." Activists - including those who have in the past agitated against Paetongtarn's father, the divisive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra - met on Friday (June 20) to plan a major protest next week, and demanded the prime minister's resignation. A government lacking full authority may also struggle in ongoing trade negotiations with the United States, which has threatened to impose a 36% tariff rate on imports from Thailand, said Natapon Khamthakrue, an analyst at Yuanta Securities. "The United States certainly would not want to talk to a government without full power or with few votes," he said. Some business chambers and analysts are, nonetheless, holding out hope that a political resolution can be found quickly, minimising damage to the Thai economy, which has been rattled by multiple coups in the last eight decades, including two against governments led by the Shinawatra family. "Although the economy is no stranger to political uncertainty," OCBC's economists said, "the timing could not be more inconvenient considering external headwinds." - Reuters
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
People's Party rules out forming government with Anutin as PM
BANGKOK: People's Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut (pic) stated on Friday (June 20) that there is no possibility of the People's Party and Bhumjaithai Party forming a government with Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul as Prime Minister. Natthaphong made these comments following the political turmoil sparked by the leaked phone call between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen. He noted that Paetongtarn has lost public confidence, and resignation is not a viable option under the current circumstances. He stated that the only solution is to dissolve the parliament, adding that with the remaining prime ministerial candidates, he believes none can provide a way forward for the country. He suggested that coalition parties would negotiate with Pheu Thai to secure as many ministerial positions as possible, rather than focusing on the country's issues. Despite this, he acknowledged that the current Pheu Thai government remains united but would operate with a fragile majority, undermining investor confidence. Natthaphong commented that the opposition might hold a no-confidence debate against the government, and the opposition is ready to fully perform its role as a check on power, pressuring the prime minister to dissolve parliament and return power to the people. Asked whether the People's Party would form a government with Bhumjaithai Party and nominate Anutin as Prime Minister, he firmly replied, 'Not at all. Our prime ministerial candidate list has been clear from the start—we cannot support anyone for the role at this time to resolve the situation.' On the issue of unity, Natthaphong expressed that it should always be present, but he opposed using the current internal political conflict and the national situation to fuel populist, nationalist sentiments that could call for extra-constitutional actions. He stated that the prime minister's visit to Ubon Ratchathani to work with the 2nd Army Region Chief was appropriate and emphasised the importance of maintaining civilian government leadership over the military. He expressed hope that the prime minister would perform her duties well to restore public confidence. When asked if ongoing protests might lead to actions outside the law, he stated that while people want a change of leadership, there are various ways to achieve it. 'The method we disagree with most is the call for extra-constitutional power leading to a coup,' he said. 'If the people truly want a way out, I believe the most appropriate solution is a new election, allowing the people's voice to decide the country's future.' When asked about claims from the government side regarding a "snake in the grass" within the People's Party, Natthaphong clarified that he had previously invited anyone with such claims to reveal names for fairness, so that the concerned parties could respond. He personally expressed confidence in all his fellow party members and reaffirmed that there is no truth to the allegations. He further stated that the formation of a government depends on the equation at hand, noting that at present, either the People's Party, Pheu Thai, and Bhumjaithai Party must unite to secure a majority and move forward. Natthaphong emphasised that the People's Party's stance remains clear: it will not join the government. - The Nation/ANN
Malay Mail
6 hours ago
- Malay Mail
PM Paetongtarn's political peril deepens Thai economic fragility
BANGKOK, June 20 — Thailand's economy is already on the ropes. Consumption has remained tepid despite a government stimulus programme, few of its economic engines are firing, and uncertainty wrought by US President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs means that the Thai economy could grow just over 1 per cent this year. Now, South-east Asia's second-largest economy faces a fresh challenge: a new round of political chaos that can bring down Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra or her ruling Pheu Thai party. 'We are currently in a period of economic downturn, with many issues affecting us,' Visit Limlurcha, vice chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, told Reuters. 'This could make things even more complicated.' The most significant short-term concern is the passage of a 3.78 trillion baht (RM490 billion) budget for the 2026 fiscal year, which starts on October 1, that must pass through parliament over the next few months. That process could get stalled if Paetongtarn, who is under siege for her handling of a festering border row with neighbouring Cambodia, dissolves parliament and triggers fresh elections. 'If parliament is dissolved before the budget is passed, the process will be delayed significantly,' said Prakit Siriwattanaket, managing director of Merchant Partners Asset Management. Thailand's economy has lagged regional peers as it struggles under high household debt and borrowing costs, and sluggish demand from China, which is also a key tourism market. It expanded 2.5 per cent last year, and growth could be further halved this year due to US tariffs, Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira said last month. Thailand's stock market has been the worst performing bourse in Asia so far this year, down 23.4 per cent. Industrial sentiment also hit its lowest in eight months in May, even as consumer confidence dropped to a 27-month low. There is a clear need to press ahead with government spending, which has dropped by over 38 per cent annually during April-May 2025, OCBC economists Lavanya Venkateswaran and Jonathan Ng said in a report on Thursday, warning of a 'double whammy' for the economy if both government expenditure and exports weaken. Protests and tariffs Amid the ongoing tumult, Paetongtarn may be able to hang on to her premiership and a coalition led by her Pheu Thai party could retain its majority, albeit in a weaker position compared to its previous grip on the parliament. Such an arrangement will prolong political instability and raise the spectre of street protests, which have been part of previous crises and could hit one of Thailand's key remaining economic engines: tourism. 'I'm worried. I don't want the situation to cause people to take to the streets,' Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, President of Thai Hotels Association, which represents around 1,000 hospitality establishments, told Reuters. 'If they take to the streets, it will hit tourism.' Activists — including those who have in the past agitated against Paetongtarn's father, the divisive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra — met today to plan a major protest next week, and demanded the prime minister's resignation. A government lacking full authority may also struggle in ongoing trade negotiations with the United States, which has threatened to impose a 36 per cent tariff rate on imports from Thailand, said Natapon Khamthakrue, an analyst at Yuanta Securities. 'The United States certainly would not want to talk to a government without full power or with few votes,' he said. Some business chambers and analysts are, nonetheless, holding out hope that a political resolution can be found quickly, minimising damage to the Thai economy, which has been rattled by multiple coups in the last eight decades, including two against governments led by the Shinawatra family. 'Although the economy is no stranger to political uncertainty,' OCBC's economists said, 'the timing could not be more inconvenient considering external headwinds.' — Reuters
