Palang Pracharath Party ( PPRP ) leader Prawit Wongsuwon continues to wield significant influence, despite both him and his party being excluded from the new coalition government, say political observers.
However, Pheu Thai’s ally with the Democrat Party is viewed by some as a secret attempt to undermine its former political enemy, rather than a true indicator of social peace.
Down but not out
Former Democrat Party MP Sathit Wongnongtoei claimed that Gen. Prawit still has significant political influence despite that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s new coalition government had excluded his Palang Pracharath Party ( PPRP ) from the list.
” The sport is not over yet. Everyone is aware that Gen. Prawit has a lot of links with politicians and members of separate organizations, according to Mr. Sathit.
Mr. Sathit said he thinks Pheu Thai ejected the PPRP, which was a component of the previous Srettha Thavisin coalition government, because he believed Gen. Prawit was responsible for the group of ex-senators ‘ petition to the Constitutional Court to appoint former convict Pichit Chuenban as a secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office.
Pheu Thai was upset with Gen. Prawit because he had not sat down for the new election of Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra as excellent minister and Mr. Srettha as top last year.
Following the complaint asking for Mr. Srettha’s departure, Mr. Sathit added that he believes former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is widely regarded as Pheu Thai’s de facto leader, was responsible for the decision to exclude the PPRP from the new partnership state.
In a vote to appoint the party’s new executive board on Friday, Gen. Prawit was re-elected as the leader of the Palang Pracharath Party ( PPRP ) in the midst of an internal factional conflict.
Sathit: Game no over for Prawit
Paiboon Nititawan was elected as the group’s fresh secretary-general, replacing Capt Thamanat Prompow, who, along with five different party managers, resigned, deepening the split within the group.
Capt Thamanat stepped down as PPRP secretary-general, along with five different members of his party who were also gathering professionals. They have n’t, however, agreed to give up their PPRP account to prevent losing their MP position. The Thamanat party, which includes about 20 of the group’s 40 MPs, has declared its isolation from the PPRP while retaining their MP content.
Narumon Pinyosinwat, the faction’s crops and cooperative minister, and Itthi Sirilathayakorn and Akara Prompao, the faction’s Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives officials, have all been appointed as government ministers.
Holding hate
When asked to comment on Pheu Thai’s ally with the Democrats, Mr. Sathit claimed that the two parties had long been political foes before coming to a consensus.
” I think Thaksin still harbors resentment toward the Democrats for what they have done to him and Pheu Thai in the past,” said Mr. Sathit.
When the Democrat Party was in power, Thaksin was the prime minister, and it led to some court circumstances being brought against him. That’s possibly why he also harbours resentment”, Mr Sathit added.
He also cited another case involving former Democrat MP for Phitsanulok, Dr Warong Dechgitvigrom, who exposed abnormalities in the rice-pledging system initiated by the management of previous leading Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin’s younger girl.
Weakening foes
According to Mr. Sathit,” an easy way to destroy the Democrats is to persuade them to get your friends,” referring to Democrat head Chalermchai Sri-on’s appointment as Natural Resources and Environment Minister and Democrat secretary-general Dech-it Khaothong’s appointment as Deputy Public Health Minister.
” This is a veiled attempt to bring his political rivals on board by weakening and dismantling them.” It’s way removed from any real indication of political reconciliation”, he added.
” As a result, people are beginning to lose trust in events. They believe that political events have abandoned their ideas and are willing to take any step to gain strength, according to Mr. Sathit.
He questioned Mr. Dech-it’s claim that the former parties may not continue to be stoked by conflict and hatred.
” For a note never cover their desire for power”, Mr Sathit said.
The Democrat Party’s determination to cross the ground came despite strong opposition from senior officials and party unionists, including past leaders Chuan Leekpai, Banyat Bantadtan, and Jurin Laksanawisit, who voiced their disapproval of any democratic alliance with Pheu Thai.
Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat, a Bangkok MP for the opposition People’s Party, a reincarnation of the dissolved Move Forward Party, echoed the view that Gen Prawit’s political clout remains strong, even though the PPRP has been left out of the new coalition government.
” Gen Prawit still maintains connections with members of independent organisations, former senators, and retired military personnel. Gen Prawit and Thaksin’s power struggle will continue, according to Mr. Nattacha.
He added that Pheu Thai’s partnership with the Democrats was a political strategy by the ruling party to consolidate power and weaken the Democrats rather than an act of reconciliation.
” Pheu Thai can now exact revenge on the Democrats. It is worthwhile to offer them just two cabinet posts, according to Mr. Nattacha.
He claimed that the Pheu Thai and the Democrats ‘ alliance wo n’t stop the People’s Party from growing.
” The circumstances are changing. They ca n’t stop us using the same outdated methods, he continued.
Nattacha: PPRP still has clout
Suriyasai Katasila, dean of Rangsit University’s College of Leadership and Social Innovation and former leader of the yellow-shirt People’s Alliance for Democracy, claimed that Gen. Prawit’s political influence is limited because he no longer has the backing of former prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and former interior minister Anupong Paojinda.
Following the May 2014 coup, the trio, also known as the” Three Por” generals, once had a sizable influence over politics.
However, their influence appears to be waning after Pheu Thai’s return to power following last year’s election.
Following the coup of 2014, the three generals held significant power over the past nine years. Right now, they may no longer be able to carry out major tasks”, Mr Suriyasai said.
Suriyasai: No longer part of trio
Price to pay
Commenting on the Democrats joining the coalition government, Mr Suriyasai said:” The Democrats had to swallow their pride for their survival.
However, the price is high. Their partnership with Pheu Thai will only cause their voters to lose confidence.
The political influence of the” three brothers in arms” has now been significantly decreased, according to Chaiyan Chaiyaporn, a lecturer in political science at Chulalongkorn University.
Gen Anupong is no longer active in politics, while Gen Prayut currently serves as a secret councillor and is required to avoid politics.
Even though Gen Prawit’s political influence is currently limited, only he continues to be politically active.
” However, Gen Prawit may still direct Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, a PPRP member, to file complaints against political rivals from time to time,” Mr Chaiyan said.
Regarding the Democrat Party, Mr. Chaiyan mentioned Jurin Laksanawisit resigned as party leader after the party won fewer House seats in the May 14 election last year.
Chaiyan: Prayut, Anupong out