Pheu Thai party at risk of dissolution
An opposition leader is calling on the Election Commission to dissolve the party of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, less than a month after she took office. In early August, the progressive Move Forward party was also dissolved. Meanwhile, the economy continues to slow with no end in sight.
Bangkok (AsiaNews) – The already uphill battle of the new Thai government led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is getting steeper after an opposition leader, Warong Dechgitvigrom, asked the Election Commission of Thailand to dissolve the Pheu Thai party, claiming that the prime minister’s father, Thaksin Shinawatra, who has no official role in government or party, controls her and her party.
In recent weeks, other petitions for dissolution were filed against Pheu Thai for the same reason, while last month the Constitutional Court ordered the dissolution of the progressive Move Forward party, which won the general election in May 2023 but was never allowed to govern due to its anti-monarchist views.
Dechgitvigrom, who heads the Thai Padkdee party, cites the Organic Act on Political Parties, which prohibits any interference by external elements.
He made his accusation after Thaksin Shinawatra on 14 August met with leading figures of the majority coalition, two days before his daughter was given a mandate to form a government.
The senior Shinawatra is disliked by pro-monarchist and nationalist groups, as well as the armed forces, which ousted him in September 2006.
The meeting centred on forming a new government after Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin was also removed from office by Election Commission.
In subsequent statements, Thaksin seem to confirm that he controlled the party and his daughter, who, at 38 is the youngest Thai prime minister ever. For critics she lacks political experience, while her father spent several years of voluntary exile until over a year ago.
In addition, Thailand’s establishment was also annoyed by the inclusion of the Democrat Party (DP) in the Pheu Thai-led government in lieu of the pro-military Palang Pracharath party that had been part of the ruling coalition. Hitherto, the DP was a staunch opponent of the Shinawatra family.
This is a thorny issue for the prime minister, as she grapples with a complex economic and social situation compounded by controversial initiatives, like the upcoming subsidy of 10,000 baht (about US$ 300) to 50 million Thais. This could turn out to be a waste of public money, while the national economy continues to tank.
So far, indications on possible remedies to the crisis have been vague and, above all, without proper financing.
If the Election Commission rules that the senior Thaksin's influence is tangible, this could politically undermine the prime minister, which is what happened to her predecessor, who was accused of including in his cabinet someone who had served time in prison.
Meanwhile, Thai lawmakers have their hands full discussing economic policies today and tomorrow, which could reveal new prospects for the government and clarify the role of the armed forces, who fear exclusion from running the country after carrying out several coups.
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24/01/2024 16:29
15/05/2023 15:39
