Coalition MoU could land MFP in hot water: activists

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Senators fell the heat: People take part in a rally held by the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration (UFTD) and its allies in front of the parliament on Tuesday to pressure senators into voting for Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat as prime minister. (Photo: Nutthawut Wicheanbut)
Senators fell the heat: People take part in a rally held by the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration (UFTD) and its allies in front of the parliament on Tuesday to pressure senators into voting for Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat as prime minister. (Photo: Nutthawut Wicheanbut)

Part of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the Move Forward Party (MFP) and seven prospective coalition partners on Monday could end up backfiring on the MFP if it decides to pursue amending the ultra-sensitive lese majeste law, which is not stated in the pact, according to political activists.

The part in question is believed to be a last-minute revision made before the MoU was signed by the MFP, Pheu Thai, Prachachart, Thai Sang Thai, Seri Ruam Thai, Fair, Palang Sangkhom Mai and Pheu Thai Ruam Phalang parties.

It reads: “The missions of the MFP-led government must not act to change the democratic system with the King as the Head of State.”

Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, secretary-general of the Progressive Movement and the MFP’s election campaign assistant, wrote in a Facebook post on Tuesday that he could not agree with this part. He said it is already stipulated in the current constitution.

“Repeating the very same text in the MoU won’t lead to any legally binding or political effect since an elected government could never change the form of the state or the system of government anyway. Only the coup makers can,” he said.

The part sounds more like a disclaimer furnished by parties consumed by self-consciousness about what they might do wrong in the future, he added.

Also appended to the part, which could set a trap for the MFP-led government, was a clause that states “…with the King as head of state holding a revered status and who cannot be violated”.

The clause could run the MFP into legal hurdles if and when it proposes to alter Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese majeste law, according to Mr Piyabutr.

Mr Piyabutr said he has been spreading his academic opinions through various public forums over the past decade as to why he strongly believes Section 6 of the constitution — which mirrors the appended part — should be changed in line with the King’s actual political power.

He insisted, however, that this is purely his personal opinion and has nothing to do with the MFP.

Even if the MFP later amends the lese majeste law, other coalition parties and senators are likely to cite the signed MoU and Section 6 of the constitution to justify not supporting such a move, he said.

Mr Piyabutr also disagreed with the MFP omitting from the MoU its push for an amnesty for political convicts and suspects. Instead, the MoU states the matter will be left to parliament.

“The MFP has an obligation to fulfil the wishes of many people and youths to end political conflicts resulting from the past coups,” he said.

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A joint meeting of MPs and senators. (File photo)
A joint meeting of MPs and senators. (File photo)

The majority of senators have not yet decided if they will back Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat as prime minister, according to outspoken senator Wanchai Sornsiri.

He said senators exchanged views about the issue on Friday, but their opinions do not represent their final stance or indicate how they will vote.

Senators have three options — vote for Mr Pita, not vote for him or abstain from voting — but it is hard to say what the majority will decide, and several are not expected to make a decision until voting day, he said.

Mr Wanchai also said he stands by his words that he will vote for the prime ministerial candidate nominated by a coalition that manages to secure more than 250 House seats.

The MFP-led bloc, with eight political parties and 313 House seats, needs at least 376 votes in the 750-seat parliament, which comprises 500 MPs and 250 senators, to secure Mr Pita’s bid for prime minister.

According to Mr Wanchai, the Senate is unlikely to factor in the allegations made against Mr Pita over his ownership of shares in iTV when they vote, as the issue should be left in the hands of the relevant authorities.

A candidate is constitutionally barred from contesting in an election if they own shares in a media company.

Political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana has asked the Election Commission to investigate Mr Pita, claiming the MFP leader owns 42,000 shares in iTV.

Senator Kittisak Rattanawaraha confirmed on Tuesday he would not vote for Mr Pita because he disagrees with the MFP’s highly controversial policy to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese majeste law.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said on Tuesday the five-year term of the current Senate expires on May 11 next year, and it can no longer join the prime ministerial vote. However, it will continue in its caretaker capacity.

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Senators still unsure about backing Pita

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A joint meeting of MPs and senators. (File photo)
A joint meeting of MPs and senators. (File photo)

The majority of senators have not yet decided if they will back Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat as prime minister, according to outspoken senator Wanchai Sornsiri.

He said senators exchanged views about the issue on Friday, but their opinions do not represent their final stance or indicate how they will vote.

Senators have three options — vote for Mr Pita, not vote for him or abstain from voting — but it is hard to say what the majority will decide, and several are not expected to make a decision until voting day, he said.

Mr Wanchai also said he stands by his words that he will vote for the prime ministerial candidate nominated by a coalition that manages to secure more than 250 House seats.

The MFP-led bloc, with eight political parties and 313 House seats, needs at least 376 votes in the 750-seat parliament, which comprises 500 MPs and 250 senators, to secure Mr Pita’s bid for prime minister.

According to Mr Wanchai, the Senate is unlikely to factor in the allegations made against Mr Pita over his ownership of shares in iTV when they vote, as the issue should be left in the hands of the relevant authorities.

A candidate is constitutionally barred from contesting in an election if they own shares in a media company.

Political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana has asked the Election Commission to investigate Mr Pita, claiming the MFP leader owns 42,000 shares in iTV.

Senator Kittisak Rattanawaraha confirmed on Tuesday he would not vote for Mr Pita because he disagrees with the MFP’s highly controversial policy to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese majeste law.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said on Tuesday the five-year term of the current Senate expires on May 11 next year, and it can no longer join the prime ministerial vote. However, it will continue in its caretaker capacity.

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Commentary: Singapore cannot rely only on crowdfunding to help those with rare diseases

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On what to fund, the Ministry of Health’s Agency for Care Effectiveness has an established process for assessing cost-effectiveness, which should be the basis upon which the model for rare disease treatments is adapted.

On how much to fund, Singapore must find its own way between hard-headed pragmatism – finite funds mean that millions of dollars used to treat one patient are millions not available for other health programmes – and compassion.

Beyond aggressively seeking pricing discounts from manufacturers, one proposed approach is to have staggered payment arrangements, combined with “value-based contracting” where the price of the drug is tied to how well it performs.

This approach shares the risk, as the long-term effects and side effects of these therapies are still unknown. It helps to avoid wasting taxpayers’ money for therapies that may ultimately prove ineffective.

Singapore would be well-placed to pilot such value-based contracting given our trusted standing with pharmaceutical companies, our medical sophistication and ease of long-term patient follow up. Singapore could take reference from the American experience with Luxturna, in which a rebate programme is offered to payers (such as insurance companies), based on the drug’s effectiveness which is assessed at 30 to 90 days, and again at 30 months.

INNOVATION IN HEALTH CARE FINANCING

These heart-wrenching decisions on healthcare coverage are not just about financials, they are also about nation-building.

As Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong assured Singaporeans at the May Day Rally: “However treacherous the terrains ahead, so long as Singapore continues to progress, all Singaporeans must continue to progress – with none among us left behind”.

Innovative ways for health systems to finance and deliver these new therapeutic modalities are needed as more high-priced therapies become available in the coming years.

It cannot be that only wealthy patients deserve life or that desperate parents cling on to the life of their children by the thin thread of public charity. 

Dr Ng Qin Xiang is currently working towards becoming a Preventive Medicine specialist and pursuing a PhD at the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health. Dr Chan Hwei Wuen is a Consultant, Department of Ophthalmology and leads a dedicated Inherited Retinal Diseases service at the National University Hospital. Associate Professor Jeremy Lim is director of the Leadership Institute for Global Health Transformation at the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health.

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Prawit determined to stay on as PPRP leader

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Denies rumour of Pheu Thai merger

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, leader of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), arrives for the cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Gen Prawit has rejected speculation that he will step down following the party's underwhelming election result. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, leader of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), arrives for the cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Gen Prawit has rejected speculation that he will step down following the party’s underwhelming election result. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)

Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, leader of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), has rejected speculation that he will step down following the party’s underwhelming election result.

The deputy prime minister told the media he had not even considered the possibility of giving up the PPRP leadership or quitting politics.

“Oh. I haven’t thought about it. You must ask those who made such analyses. Ask them. Where can I go if I quit?” he said at Government House on Tuesday after the cabinet meeting.

When asked if he would turn his back on politics, he said “no”.

“I have been the PPRP leader and will remain in the position,” he said.

He also denied speculation that the PPRP would merge with the Pheu Thai Party.

“You ask me even though I have neither thought nor spoken about it. I haven’t made any move,” Gen Prawit said.

He declined to comment when reporters asked if such rumours were aimed at preventing his PPRP from forming a coalition government.

PPRP secretary-general Santi Prompat, the deputy finance minister, also rejected the rumour of a merger with Pheu Thai.

Mr Santi said it was “fake news” promoted by people with ill intentions. PPRP did not have any such idea to merge with Pheu Thai and give the support it would need to form and lead a new coalition government.

“It is not possible,” he said.

Pheu Thai unofficially won 141 House seats, coming second after the Move Forward Party (MFP), which has the most MPs-elect, 152, in the May 14 general election. Bumjaithai came third with 70 seats, and the PPRP was fourth with 40 seats.

Mr Santi said that the party has never planned to let its MPs elect to join the Pheu Thai Party.

“Gen Prawit remains the PPRP leader, and party members’ faith in him is unchanged,” Mr Santi said.

However, when reporters asked whether the PPRP could join hands with Pheu Thai if the MFP could not form a government, he said that could be a matter for the future, but no one could require the exclusion of Gen Prawit in exchange for a partnership.

Mr Santi spoke to reporters amid reports that the PPRP had cancelled a planned press conference on Tuesday.

He said there was a misunderstanding, and the PPRP did not need to call a press conference.

On Monday evening, Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew also rejected the possibility his party could form the next government with the PPRP.

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Prayut allays fears over transfer of power

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Curtain call: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha leaves a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, where he promised a smooth transition to a new government. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)
Curtain call: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha leaves a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, where he promised a smooth transition to a new government. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday assured the nation of a smooth transition from the caretaker government to the new government, adding that sufficient measures are being maintained to shore up the economy during the process.

“As the country will have to move forward, we have to continue working to take care of people while still waiting for the new government to come,” Gen Prayut said.

The PM also urged all sides to refrain from scaremongering by creating frightening scenarios about the political situation that could upset the public.

“Please don’t create more problems. I myself normally have no problem with any sides, and I do respect the [ongoing] democratic process,” he said.

As for concerns over the need to keep driving the country’s economy during the transition from the caretaker government to the new one, Gen Prayut said sufficient measures are in place to support and drive economic growth.

Asked about the recent massive sell-off of Thailand’s bonds by global funds over concerns about the country’s political uncertainties, he said it was impossible to stop those funds from selling Thailand’s bonds.

However, Gen Prayut said that Thailand still has a good financial status despite some political uncertainties, and all sides should join hands in preventing them from developing into more serious problems.

Gen Prayut also said the only thing he expects to see happening is peace in the country, and as he is the caretaker prime minister, he will try his best to perform his duty until the new government takes over.

Asked if he had ever recently discussed with Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon their political future, Gen Prayut said he had not talked to Gen Prawit about anything other than their remaining responsibilities as the caretaker cabinet.

As for an online movement where supporters of the Move Forward Party (MFP) are being encouraged to join a rally to pressure the Senate to support the MFP-led bid to form a new government, Gen Prayut said the security authorities would ensure any rally stays within the boundaries of the law.

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Part of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the Move Forward Party (MFP) and seven prospective coalition partners on Monday could end up backfiring on the MFP if it decides to pursue amending the ultra-sensitive lese majeste law, which is not stated in the pact, according to political activists.

The part in question is believed to be a last-minute revision made before the MoU was signed by the MFP, Pheu Thai, Prachachart, Thai Sang Thai, Seri Ruam Thai, Fair, Palang Sangkhom Mai and Pheu Thai Ruam Phalang parties.

It reads: “The missions of the MFP-led government must not act to change the democratic system with the King as the Head of State.”

Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, secretary-general of the Progressive Movement and the MFP’s election campaign assistant, wrote in a Facebook post yesterday that he could not agree with this part. He said it is already stipulated in the current constitution.

“Repeating the very same text in the MoU won’t lead to any legally binding or political effect since an elected government could never change the form of the state or the system of government anyway. Only the coup makers can,” he said.

The part sounds more like a disclaimer furnished by parties consumed by self-consciousness about what they might do wrong in the future, he added.

Also appended to the part, which could set a trap for the MFP-led government, was a clause that states “…with the King as head of state holding a revered status and who cannot be violated”.

The clause could run the MFP into legal hurdles if and when it proposes to alter Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese majeste law, according to Mr Piyabutr.

Mr Piyabutr said he has been spreading his academic opinions through various public forums over the past decade as to why he strongly believes Section 6 of the constitution — which mirrors the appended part — should be changed in line with the King’s actual political power.

He insisted, however, that this is purely his personal opinion and has nothing to do with the MFP.

Even if the MFP later amends the lese majeste law, other coalition parties and senators are likely to cite the signed MoU and Section 6 of the constitution to justify not supporting such a move, he said.

Mr Piyabutr also disagreed with the MFP omitting from the MoU its push for an amnesty for political convicts and suspects. Instead, the MoU states the matter will be left to parliament.

“The MFP has an obligation to fulfil the wishes of many people and youths to end political conflicts resulting from the past coups,” he said.

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Beer-loving MFP lawmaker takes aim at booze duopoly

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Progressive liquor bill part of Move Forward agenda to give small business a fairer chance

“I’m not an extremist. I want to drink good beer,” says Taopiphop Limjitrikorn, a Move Forward MP-elect who is one of the main driving forces behind the party’s “progressive alcohol bill”. (Photo: Reuters)
“I’m not an extremist. I want to drink good beer,” says Taopiphop Limjitrikorn, a Move Forward MP-elect who is one of the main driving forces behind the party’s “progressive alcohol bill”. (Photo: Reuters)

A beer-loving MP-elect once arrested for illegal brewing is hoping the Move Forward Party’s election victory can give him a long-awaited shot at breaking up a 470-billion-baht alcohol duopoly of two of the country’s wealthiest families.

Brewer-turned-politician Taopiphop Limjittrakorn has been fighting to overhaul strict regulations for years, taking on Boon Rawd Brewery and ThaiBev, which have long had a stranglehold on the production of alcohol.

After winning the most seats in the May 14 electon, Move Forward this week reached an agreement with prospective coalition partners that include measures to “abolish monopolies and promote fair competition in all industries, such as alcoholic beverages”.

“The progressive alcohol bill is not only a bill, it is a political project,” said Mr Taopiphop, 34, who was re-elected in Bangkok Constituency 22, in an interview at his Taopiphop Bar Project on Charoen Rat Road.

“Now, I’m gathering all the stakeholders in this policy to make it happen as smoothly as I can because I realise that we are not the opposition any more. We are government.”

Boon Rawd, which makes Singha and Leo beers, and ThaiBev, the brewer of Chang, did not immediately respond to questions from Reuters.

Boon Rawd, the country’s first brewery founded in 1933, is owned and controlled by the Bhirombhakdi family, the country’s 15th richest, according to Forbes magazine. ThaiBev was founded by Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, ranked by Forbes as the country’s third-richest person with a net worth of $14 billion.

If Move Forward is able to lead the government and open up the alcohol sector, the two companies may see short-term effects on their performance because of new competitors, said Damien Yeo, consumer and retail analyst at the research firm BMI.

“Over the long run, both ThaiBev and Boon Rawd have plenty going for them that will help them maintain a healthy lead over any potential new competitors,” Mr Yeo said, pointing to both firms’ better understanding of the market and regulatory issues.

‘Not an extremist’

More than half of the country’s alcoholic drinks market, valued at about 470 billion baht in 2020, consists of beer.

Boon Rawd controls a 57.9% share of the beer market followed by Singapore-listed ThaiBev at 34.3% and Thai Asia Pacific Brewery at 4.7%, according to a February 2022 report by Krungsri Research.

ThaiBev is also the runaway leader in the spirits market with a 59.5% share, with the second-place player holding only 8% of the segment, according to Krungsri Research.

Through an amendment to the excise laws, which failed to make it through parliament previously, Mr Taopiphop said he was aiming to remove high-entry barriers for the alcohol industry that largely favour big firms like Boon Rawd and ThaiBev.

The aim would be help small domestic brewers gain at least 10% of the beer market within a decade, he said.

In a social media post on May 19 after Move Forward’s election win, Piti Bhirombhakdi, who is on the board of Boon Rawd, said he backed the liberalisation of the industry.

“There will be some impact but in free trade we have competition. We will have to adjust our plan,” he said in reply to a comment on Facebook.

On a May 12 earnings call, ahead of the polls, a ThaiBev executive said the company was alert for new regulations. The company’s stock is trading at its lowest level since early November.

“We’ve been watching this closely for each party, and what is their policy,” said senior executive vice-president Ueychai Tantha-Obhas. “We just prepare for any outcome.”

A lawyer who became a tour guide before turning to brewing, Mr Taopiphop said he planned to follow up on regulatory easing with further legislation on rationalising restrictive alcohol advertising and allowing 24-hour alcohol sales.

“I’m not an extremist,” he said. “I want to drink good beer.” 

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