South-East Asia (Page 1,960)

Pheu Thai Party’s prime ministerial candidate Srettha Thavisin says he wants to tackle poverty and inequality, as he fends off corruption allegations ahead of a confirmation vote next week.

Parliament will meet on Tuesday to vote on whether to approve the wealthy property mogul as prime minister and end three months of rumbling political deadlock since the May 14 general election.

The 61-year-old’s Pheu Thai Party heads a multi-party coalition formed after the reformist Move Forward Party (MFP) — which won the most seats — saw its leader denied the PM spot by conservative, pro-military forces.

“I would like to reiterate that my enemy is poverty and inequality. My goal is to make every Thai person’s life better,” Mr Srettha said in a video message on Facebook on Friday.

Mr Srettha, the former head of Thai property giant Sansiri, rejected allegations of improper dealings made in recent weeks by Chuvit Kamolvisit, a colourful former massage parlour tycoon turned anti-graft whistleblower.

“We are transparent in our work. I come here today to show my innocence to the general public that my activities were done according to the law,” he said.

“I would like to refute all claims that Chuvit has made against me.”

Mr Chuvit this week asked police to investigate two land purchases by Sansiri, which is listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET).

House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha confirmed the vote for prime minister would be on Tuesday, starting no later than 3pm.

To become premier, Mr Srettha needs a majority across both the lower house of 500 elected MPs, and the 250-member Senate which was handpicked by the kingdom’s last junta.

Opposition from the Senate to the MFP’s plans to amend Section 112, also known as the lese majeste law, and tackle business monopolies sank its leader Pita Limjaroenrat’s ambitions.

And so despite winning most seats, the MFP will go into opposition while two parties from the outgoing army-backed government will have a share in power.

On Thursday it was confirmed the new coalition would include the United Thai Nation Party (UTN) of outgoing Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha — a former army chief who deposed an elected Pheu Thai government to seize power in 2014.

And the coalition also includes Bhumjaithai — another party from the outgoing government — leading some to question how different the new administration will be from the old one.

Former massage parlour tycoon-turned-whistle-blower Chuvit Kamolvisit reveals his latest allegation against Pheu Thai’s prime ministerial candidate Srettha Thavisin at the Davis Hotel, which he owns, in Bangkok, on Tuesday. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)

Move Forward Party (MFP) list-MP Rangsiman Rome stands firm that he will urge parliament to reconsider its decision to reject the renomination of MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat as prime minister.

Mr Rangsiman said on Friday that he will proceed with his motion for a new parliamentary review of the resolution passed on July 19. 

The 31-year-old MP said he would present the proposal during a meeting of the Senate whip and representatives of political parties, convened by Parliament President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, on Friday. The objective is to establish a timeline for debating the motion in the upcoming parliamentary session scheduled for Aug 22.

The MFP member said it was not necessary for the debate to be lengthy as it would provide parliament an opportunity to reflect upon potential errors made.

“Regarding the vote on this motion, we hope we’ll win, but the final decision does not rest with us,” said Mr Rangsiman. “Frankly speaking, compromising our principles in this matter would establish a precedent with far-reaching implications.” 

“Using the parliamentary mechanism for nominations carries implications beyond the prime ministerial post, as it also extends to other roles. We must take extra caution when employing this issue (parliament’s resolution to reject Mr Pita’s renomination) as a precedent.”

During a joint session of the House and Senate on July 13th, the MFP leader failed to secure the majority required for the prime ministerial post. On July 19th, parliament voted against allowing Mr Pita to be renominated.

On Wednesday, the Constitutional Court dismissed the Ombudsman’s petition related to the rejected renomination of Mr Pita. The court based its decision on the grounds that the three petitioners, Pornchai Theppanya and Boonsong Chalaythorn, who both voted for the MFP in the May 14 general election, and Move Forward MP Panyarut Nuntapusitanon, were not directly affected by the parliamentary decision.

Upon learning of the ruling, Mr Pita said he would not file a fresh petition with the court because he believed the issue should be settled by parliament rather than the court.

When asked whether Move Forward is ready to be the opposition again, Mr Rangsiman said the party would assume the role of opposition once a government is formed. He reaffirms his party’s position of not supporting the Pheu Thai Party’s nominee for prime minister.

On Tuesday, the election-winning MFP announced that it would not back Pheu Thai candidate Srettha Thavisin for prime minister as the formation of the government now is not reflective of the people’s voice.

Despite its divergence from Move Forward, second-placed Pheu Thai has been actively seeking its former ally’s backing for real estate tycoon Srettha to become the next prime minister.