Aligning of votes deemed ‘crucial’
The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) is considering appointing whips from within the current government coalition ahead of the upcoming prime minister vote, its deputy leader Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn said.
He said the coalition, which includes the PPRP, the United Thai Nation Party (UTN), Bhumjaithai, the Democrat Party and the Chartthapattana Party, needs whips after the election of the first deputy speaker of the House on Tuesday.
Witthaya Kaewparadai, of the UTN, who was seen as representing the current government coalition, ran against Move Forward’s Padipat Suntiphada in the election and received 105 votes, although the bloc has 188 votes. The Bhumjaithai Party, the largest party in the bloc with 71 votes, abstained from voting and triggered speculation about a possible split in the bloc’s vote.
Mr Chaiwut said it was not the case of a split vote. The government parties simply did not discuss how they would vote in selecting the first deputy speaker. Although the vote result had no political impact, he said that the current government parties need coordination to ensure they vote the same way in the next crucial vote.
“We just didn’t discuss it. We also wanted to see how things went with the other side so we get a picture of how many votes each side has,” he said.
The PPRP deputy leader denied any knowledge of Pheu Thai possibly forming an alternate coalition with Bhumjaithai and his party with PPRP leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwon as prime minister.
Gen Prawit on Wednesday declined to answer reporters’ questions about forming a rival coalition and him being nominated for prime minister in the parliamentary vote.
Meanwhile, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul appeared to avoid reporters on Wednesday when he arrived for a cabinet meeting at Government House. The Bhumjaithai Party leader entered and left the Thai Khu Fah Building via the back door instead of the main door that was swamped by reporters.
Mr Anutin also posted on Facebook a picture of a car, believed to be a 2002 BMW, with a message that he is prepared to return his official car and switch back to a “legendary” car.