BANGKOK, Aug 2 (TNA) – The Pheu Thai party, which came second in the election has announced it will form a coalition without the election-winning Move Forward party (MFP) and will nominate Srettha Thavisin as prime minister in the parliamentary vote on Friday.
During a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Pheu Thai party leader Cholnan Srikaew said that after Pheu Thai was designated by the eight-party alliance to take the lead in forming the government, the party has tried to garner support from MPs of non-coalition parties and senators, but they reject the plan to amend Section 112, the royal defamation law and some parties will not join a government with MFP.
As a result, Pheu Thai met the MFP negotiation team this morning to withdraw from the eight-party alliance. It will proceed to form its own coalition with Srettha Thavisin as the prime minister candidate.
Pheu Thai affirms that the party will not amend Section 112 as the issue is a major obstacle to garner support from MPs and senators and the new government formation will not include MFP.
Tomorrow afternoon, an official announcement will be made regarding the parties that will join the Pheu Thai-led government. Some parties from eight former coalition alliance have already accepted, and it is expected that the parliamentary vote for Srettha as a new prime minister will be concluded on August 4.
He said the focus will be on rallying sufficient support to benefit the nation and its people. The plan involves initiating amendments to the current constitution, which has been a root cause of difficulties in forming a government and led to the nation’s crisis.
A referendum will be held to establish the constitution drafting council. After the process is completed, power will be returned to the people and a fresh election will be held under the framework of the new constitution, Dr. Cholnan said.
In the meantime, Pheu Thai party will push forward the beneficial policies endorsed by former coalition alliance that benefit the people, which include marriage equality, liberalization of liquor production, transitioning from conscription to voluntary military service, decentralization of power and ending monopolies. (TNA)
