Jump to content
reader

Pheu Thai popularity plunges in new poll

Recommended Posts

20 minutes ago, Ruthrieston said:

For now the army/junta stays in control, definitely not what the people of Thailand want. Time will tell, but I hope the Move Forward Party stays strong and focused towards the next election, if the army allows one.

Let's not hold our breath. We have no idea if the Move Forward Party will be allowed to continue. In the 2019 General Election, another new Party Future Forward gained 81 seats, a remarkable number for a new Party. Due to political shenanigans, the Party leader was accused of violating election laws - the same tactic used to get rid of Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of Move Forward. Naturally he was then disqualified by the elite-led Constitutional Court. This same Court ordered the Future Forward Party dissolved in February 2020. The following year 55 of the Future Forward MPs decamped to Move Forward. Will history repeat itself?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, PeterRS said:

Let's not hold our breath. We have no idea if the Move Forward Party will be allowed to continue. In the 2019 General Election, another new Party Future Forward gained 81 seats, a remarkable number for a new Party. Due to political shenanigans, the Party leader was accused of violating election laws - the same tactic used to get rid of Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of Move Forward. Naturally he was then disqualified by the elite-led Constitutional Court. This same Court ordered the Future Forward Party dissolved in February 2020. The following year 55 of the Future Forward MPs decamped to Move Forward. Will history repeat itself?

that's why you won't find Thailand on any list of functioning  democracies. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The personality factor in Thai politics preceded that of Trump and Johnson and their cronies. Thaksin was seen as a saviour when first elected PM in 2001. Before then, few Thais seemed to pay much attention to politics as the same old members of the corrupt elite formed governments. I suppose the only ones not to be a part of that swamp were General Prem, although I do not know if he was as revered during his 8 years as PM as he was later in life as Chairman of the Privy Council. The other was Anand Panyarachun whom the King, having surprisingly intervened in politics folllowing massive protests against the government and a bloody army massacre, asked to form his second government in May 1992. This was met with popular approval around the country. Anand was seen as one of the few to be sincere and incorruptable.

No doubt the privations suffered by so many in the country following the Asian Economic Crisis helped steer popular feeling towards a relatively new party leader who promised much. And to be fair, Thaksin did deliver policies that helped tens of millions around the country. Yet, despite the PR spin masters, he was essentially massively corrupt and deeply involved in cronyism. Even so, I can recall talking with taxi drivers in the mid-2010s who still seemed to revere Thaksin and said everything would be better once he returned to run the country.

But these were members of the older generations. It is the young who seem now to be driving politics. Certainly Pita Limjaroenrat has a ton of charisma and seems not to be tainted with corruption and scandal, although his former wife did take him to court alleging he was controlling and abusive during their marriage. That case was dismissed as false by the family court. The LGBT movement will be staunchly pro his party as he has promised to introduce same-sex marriage. Will his popularity continue even though he has been denied political power? We ought to get some indication after the Rayong Constituency by-election on September 10.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

From Thai PBS World

Pheu Thai party leader quits

Cholnan Srikaew quit as leader of the Pheu Thai party today (Wednesday), with immediate effect, to keep his pre-election promise to resign if Pheu Thai were to partner with Palang Pracharath, United Thai Nation or both in the formation of the government.

Chousak Sirinil, one of the deputy leaders, is now acting party leader, until a general meeting is held in the next 60 days to choose a new leader and executive committee.

Speaking at a press conference today, Cholnan said that, since the party has achieved its goal of forming a coalition government of 11 parties, it was the right time for him to quit, as he had pledged to do during a debate on April 28th.

He said that he has no regrets, nor does he harbour any grudges for having to quit, claiming that he had done his job to the best of his ability since he was appointed the party leader on October 18th, 2011.

Cholnan said that his resignation had nothing to do with his cabinet post or his status as a party-list MP. He was tipped to become public health minister, to succeed Anutin Charnvirakul of the Bhumjaithai party.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think our last resignation, on a point of principle was Lord Carrington, foreign secretary, taking responsibility for the Falklands debacle. 1981 or so. Of course Churchill resigned after the Dardanelles disaster, 1915, and went to fight in the trenches. Can't see any Thai generals following suit!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It does seem notable that the PM is doing these appearances to try and win people over. No VIP treatment boarding the plane in Phuket. Visiting the market to talk to the merchants and find out what their issues are. Riding the MRT with commuters. They know that they look terrible right now.

I guess it seems inevitable that they will find some way to try and get rid of MFP. The people running the show are short-term thinkers. MFP need to be recruiting and identifying the next crop of leaders.

The push for a citizen-led charter rewrite is worth watching. Clearly that's the last thing the generals and powers that be want to happen.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



×
×
  • Create New...