Former Buri Ram government gets top post, representatives even allied in fresh Upper House
PUBLISHED: 23 Jul 2024 at 19: 27
UPDATED: 23 Jul 2024 at 20: 19
Lawmakers believed to have political connections with the Bhumjaithai Party were chosen as the Senate Speaker and two delegates on Tuesday.
Past Buri Ram chancellor Mongkol Surasajja easily won the vote to be speaker over two other contenders. He received 159 vote against 19 for media educational Nantana Nantavaropas and 13 for former senior politician Premsak Piayura. Four lawmakers abstained and five votes were irrelevant.
Mr Mongkol, 71, has had a long career in public career dating back to his time as a member in the 1973 social revolt against tyranny. He is seen to have close relationships with the Bhumjaithai Party, whose political foundation is in Buri Ram. Bhumjaithai is the second-largest group in the regulating partnership.
Two other legislators believed to possess relations with Bhumjaithai were likewise chosen as assistant speakers in the 200-member Upper House. Gen Kriangkrai Srirak, a previous 4th Army captain and former assistant to Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the Bhumjaithai head, received 150 vote. Boonsong Noisophon, a former prosecutor and election director, got 167 seats.
Even though the new directly elected lawmakers are not supposed to be affiliated with political events, applicants linked in different ways to Bhumjaithai did very well in the new election.
The so-called “blue” union, a guide to Bhumjaithai, is said to be the largest by way of three parties in the fresh Upper House, which convened for the first time on Tuesday.
The secretary-general of the Senate will formally review the election results in writing to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who will provide them to His Majesty the King for aristocratic support.
Wanwichit Boonprong, a political science professor at Rangsit University, told the Bangkok Post that the lower house will now be dominated by lawmakers who have relations with Bhumjaithai.
” From now on, Mr Anutin’s political clout may increase. He has been part of the previous and current government over the past five times”, Mr Wanwichit said. ” The election results of the Senate election showed some officials are affiliated with the azure party”.
He said the second move by Bhumjaithai is expected to be to persuade officials from big social groups — from both the Pheu Thai and Palang Pracharath events — to defect to Bhumjaithai.
Unlike their military-appointed successors, the new lawmakers will not be empowered to co-elect a new prime minister.
However, they still have the authority to appoint associates of prominent independent companies that have had a significant influence on social developments, especially the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the Election Commission, Mr Wanwichit said.
Media scientific and lawmaker Nantana Nantavaropas, a candidate for the Senate author’s article, outlines her eyesight prior to the vote at parliament on Tuesday. ( Photo: Chanat Katanyu )