Thailand’s Ruling Pheu Thai Rules Out Dissolution, Backs Chaikasem For PM

By Kenny Teng

BANGKOK, Sept 2 (Bernama) -- Thailand’s Interim Prime Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, on Tuesday dismissed rumours that the ruling Pheu Thai Party (PT) is planning to dissolve parliament, saying negotiations with the People’s Party (PP) are still ongoing to secure support.

Phumtham, a senior PT member, stressed that dissolving parliament would only be considered as a subsequent step, adding that clarity must first be achieved through ongoing negotiations.

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“When PP and the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) announce their alliance, we (PT)  will discuss it,” he said in a statement on PT’s official X account on Tuesday.

Phumtham emphasised that he has not made any preparations for a dissolution and is not considering steps beyond the current stage.

He also dismissed claims that the PP would back Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the BJT, as the country’s 32nd prime minister, insisting the reports were untrue.

Earlier, during the PT parliamentary meeting, party spokesperson Danuporn Punnakanta confirmed that the party would nominate Chaikasem Nitisiri as prime minister without an internal vote.

He stressed that PT would not, under any circumstances, support candidates from other parties.

“There is no need for a resolution from the meeting to submit Chaikasem’s name, as he is already the party’s candidate. The party confirms it will absolutely not support anyone from another party,” he said.

The PT meeting at its headquarters on Tuesday was attended by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra, senior figures Suriya Juangroongruangkit and Somsak Thepsuthin, and other members of parliament (MPs).

Besides Chaikasem and Anutin, three other eligible candidates remain from the lists submitted ahead of the 2023 election: United Thai Nation Party’s Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, Democrat Party’s Jurin Laksanawisit, and former prime minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha, also of the United Thai Nation Party.

Meanwhile, Thai media reported that the second day of the PP parliamentary meeting on Tuesday ended without a decision on how its MPs would vote for the country’s 32nd prime minister. The MPs instead agreed to refer the matter to the party’s executive committee, which will make a final decision on Wednesday.

The House of Representatives is scheduled to convene on Sept 4 and 5 to deliberate on the prime ministerial nominations.

-- BERNAMA