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 for the Bangkok Post that Gen. Prawit still has significant political influence despite the fact that his Palang Pracharath Party ( PPRP ) was excluded from the new coalition government led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
” The sport is not over yet. Everyone is aware that Gen. Prawit has a lot of links with lawmakers and members of separate organizations,” said Mr. Sathit.
Mr. Sathit said he thinks Pheu Thai opted out of 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 certainly over for Prawit
Paiboon Nititawan was elected as the group’s fresh secretary-general, replacing Capt Thamanat Prompow, who, along with five different group directors, 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 never, however, given up on 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 secretary, and Itthi Sirilathayakorn and Akara Prompao, the faction’s Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives officials, have all been appointed as government ministers.
Holding grievance
When asked about Pheu Thai’s relationship with the Democrats, Mr. Sathit claimed that the two events had long been social rivals before coming to a consensus.
According to Mr. Sathit,” I think Thaksin also harbors resentment toward the Democrats for what they have done to him and Pheu Thai in the past.”
When the Democrat Party was in power, Thaksin was the subject of numerous judge circumstances that resulted in his being sued. That’s possibly why he still 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 competitors
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 power, according to Mr. Sathit.
He questioned Mr. Dech-it’s claim that conflict and hatred between the two events from the past should not be carried over.
” 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 conflict of power 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 give 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 techniques, he continued.
Nattacha: PPRP still has clout
Gen. Prawit’s political clout is limited, according to Suriyasai Katasila, dean of Rangsit University’s College of Leadership and Social Innovation and former leader of the People’s Alliance for Democracy, who 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 had a lot of 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, there is a price to pay. Their support for Pheu Thai will only decline as a result of their alliance with them.
The political influence of the” three brothers in arms” has now been significantly diminished, 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, which requires him to avoid politics.
Even though his ability to exert influence is now limited, only Gen Prawit 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