Latest news with #Chaikasem
Bangkok Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Chaikasem says talk on PM role still 'premature'
Chaikasem Nitisiri, the sole remaining prime ministerial candidate from the ruling Pheu Thai Party, yesterday reaffirmed his readiness to take up the role of prime minister but said it was still too early to seriously consider the matter. He was responding to reporters' questions regarding ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra's recent remarks that there would not be a political deadlock and numerous options would still be on the table if the Constitutional Court rules against his daughter, suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, over a leaked phone call with Cambodia. Either Mr Chaikasem would be nominated for the role, or the House of Representatives would be dissolved, Thaksin said in comments marking the 55th anniversary of the Nation Group this week. Mr Chaikasem said there had been no discussions with Thaksin about stepping in and that such speculation was premature. Thaksin is touted as the de facto leader of Pheu Thai. Mr Chaikasem insisted he was in good health and was ready to serve the country while expressing confidence there would be no political impasse as the country has weathered multiple political storms. Ms Paetongtarn has been suspended pending a ruling on her call with Cambodia's Senate President Hun Sen during which she disrespected the Thai army. Sorawong Thienthong, secretary-general of Pheu Thai, said the party was hopeful Ms Paetongtarn, also the party leader, would be allowed to continue as premier. People's Party (PP) list-MP Rangsiman Rome urged all parties not to race into a deadlock, saying that dissolving the House to return the mandate to the public would be the best solution. He also criticised Thaksin for portraying the PP as "frightening", adding that what was truly frightening was running the country while thinking only of personal gain and staying above the law.
Bangkok Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Can Pheu Thai retain its grip on power?
Thaksin Shinawatra reappeared in politics after a conspicuous absence following the leak of the phone conversation between his daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn and former Cambodian PM Hun Sen. He expressed confidence that Ms Paetongtarn, who has been suspended from duty as prime minister over the content of the controversial telephone call, will survive the ongoing crisis. But this was always going to be wishful thinking. While speaking on a chat show, the Pheu Thai Party's de facto leader likened the suspension of Ms Paetongtarn, pending a court ruling, to that of Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, saying the latter was later acquitted. And in his view, this might also be the case for his daughter. Besides, Thaksin has confidence that Thai politics will not experience a deadlock as long as he is around. Political pundits, however, envisage the opposite scenario for Ms Paetongtarn, who is currently serving as culture minister. The Constitutional Court is expected to hand down a ruling against her in a month or two. In fact, the Pheu Thai Party cannot afford to be so optimistic regarding Ms Paetongtarn's political future. It is involved in a tough game with Bhumjaithai, a friend turned foe, which is pushing for Anutin Charnvirakul to take the political baton as "interim prime minister" in accordance with a proposal drawn up by the People's Party. Pheu Thai's immediate plan is to pass the torch to Chaikasem Nitisiri, the party's third prime ministerial candidate, who has regained his strength after a long illness. Mr Chaikasem, now 76 years of age, told the media he's ready for the top job when the time comes. It could be said that all political parties foresee a political scenario without Ms Paetongtarn. Pheu Thai has to accept the hard fact that the party, with its slim majority, is politically vulnerable. Even if Mr Chaikasem eventually assumes the role of PM, he may not be able to stay in power for long, particularly if and when financial bills are shot down, as this would mean the government would have to resign. Coming into the picture is the idea of "interim prime minister". This idea was coined by the People's Party as a way out of the political impasse if Ms Paetongtarn is removed from office. Surprisingly, the opposition bloc leader said, while insisting it will stay out of a new coalition, said it will vote for any party that accepts its conditions: dissolving parliament by end of the year after the approval of 2026 budget, and proceeding with charter amendment, especially setting the groundwork for the formation of a charter drafting panel. Under the People's Party's conditions, the interim PM must ensure that poll ballots include a referendum question on whether voters approve the charter panel's bill. Given its surging popularity, the People's Party is the only one that is ready for snap elections. Besides, the interim government plan could prevent political intervention in case of Ms Paetongtarn's downfall, referring to Section 5 of the 2017 charter. This enables the palace to appoint an outsider prime minister if and when the country faces political deadlock. Under that scenario, therefore, there is speculation that Gen Prayut, who is now a privy councillor, may make a political comeback. Lest we forget, the former junta leader still retains his position as a PM candidate for the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party. Another form of intervention, a coup d'etat, is even more worrisome. The People's Party concedes that it is in talks with Bhumjaithai to see the proposal being translated into reality. But the chances are almost nil. This is because even if the two parties enter into an alliance, they will still need around 40 MPs to secure the premiership for the Bhumjaithai leader. But three parties in the coalition, namely UTN (36 MPs), Democrat (25 MPs), and Chart Thai Pattana (10 MPs), which have received rewards from Pheu Thai in the form of cabinet seats appear to favour the status quo, thus, they see no benefit in the interim government proposal. Not to mention that the coalition parties are waiting for another bonus if Ms Paetongtarn is replaced with Mr Chaikasem, which would mean Pheu Thai would need to form a new cabinet again. In this case, they would get a chance to optimise demands for cabinet seats like in the previous reshuffle that saw micro parties, or even political factions with only 3-4 MPs, get big slices of the reshuffle cake. Pheu Thai would have to make sumptuous offers again to ensure no parties shift to Bhumjaithai. Moreover, since the lawsuits against Thaksin over the extended hospitalisation known as the "14th-floor saga" and against his daughter for "Hun Sen-gate" will soon be wrapped up, it's necessary for Pheu Thai to cling on to power at this crucial time. It's an open secret that Bhumjaithai finds changes to the constitution an unfavourable option. Undeniably, it is the current charter that opened the door for the much-criticised senatorial vote in which candidates who are believed to have affiliations with Bhumjaithai entered the Upper House in droves. It will come as no surprise if the Senate throws cold water on charter amendment proposals. Besides this, the requirement for three referendums, as suggested by the charter court, would in effect stall the amendment efforts. At the same time, even if Bhumjaithai and the People's Party can push the interim PM proposal, tight scrutiny by the latter would make Mr Anutin uncomfortable. Instead, as the Pheu Thai-led administration is unlikely to last long, the Bhumjaithai leader would rather wait for the next election when he has a better chance to become prime minister. Last but not least, we must not forget that Pheu Thai still has House dissolution as its trump card. If other options seem not to be working, the party would rather start afresh instead of seeing Bhumjaithai rise to power. By dissolving the House, the ruling party could retain its grip as a caretaker government for around two months and grasp whatever opportunities come its way.
Bangkok Post
27-06-2025
- Health
- Bangkok Post
Chaikasem a ‘ready but reluctant' PM
Chaikasem Nitisiri, the third and final prime ministerial candidate of the Pheu Thai Party in the 2023 election, says he would be willing to take over from Paetongtarn Shinawatra but only if 'necessary', amid speculation he could become Thailand's next premier. With Srettha Thavisin already having been removed from office and Ms Paetongtarn now facing several petitions seeking her removal, the only option for Pheu Thai appears to be Mr Chaikasem, who will turn 77 in August. Ms Paetongtarn is experiencing a crisis of confidence in the wake of fallout from a leaked phone call between her and Cambodian strongman Hun Sen. When asked whether he was ready to step in, should Ms Paetongtarn resign or be removed, Mr Chaikasem said there were many younger people capable of taking on the role, but he would step up if called. 'If necessary, that will be fine. But [my hope is](#) it won't be,' he said, reiterating his desire to see someone from the younger generation lead the nation. 'For me, I would be willing to serve if assigned. But if I had a choice, I'd rather not — that would suit me just as well,' he said. The ruling party need not be concerned about how he might feel if someone else were nominated, he said, adding he would support whoever was most suited to lead the government. 'Am I ready to take on the premiership? As long as I remain in politics, I must always be prepared,' he said. 'But do I truly want to be prime minister? Who would willingly take on such an exhausting job? I wouldn't. I'd rather spend time with my family and do whatever I please.' Mr Chaikasem, a former attorney-general, confirmed that his previous health issues had been resolved. The blood clot found at the back of his neck, which caused a stroke, has since dissolved, and there were no other health problems he needs to worry about, he said, while playing golf on Friday. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, in his role as a senior Pheu Thai figure, insisted the party currently has no 'Plan B' should Ms Paetongtarn be removed from office. 'No, we're not thinking about that at the moment,' he said. 'Our only focus now is for the prime minister to continue her work in government and complete the cabinet reshuffle as soon as possible,' Mr Phumtham added.
