Most voters prefer conservative-liberal ‘mixed government’: Academic

By Thai Newsroom Reporters

MOST VOTERS WOULD PREFER to see a “mixed government” set up between moderate conservatism and moderate liberalism after the May 14 general election, concluded an academic today (Apr.3).

According to Jade Donavanik, dean of the College of Asian Scholars’ Faculty of Law, that kind of “mixed government” could possibly refer to a future coalition between the Pheu Thai, largely known as a moderately liberal party with deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra being viewed as de facto party boss, the Palang Pracharath, viewed as a moderately conservative party led by Prawit Wongsuwan, and the Bhumjaithai, also a moderately conservative camp steered by de facto party boss Newin Chidchob.

The total number of MPs attached to the trio of parties might probably exceed half the total of MPs and senators combined or 376 which is minimally required by law to name a partisan contestant for prime minister, Jade said.

According to the College of Asian Scholars academic, most of the people who are going to the polls have had enough of political polarizations and would prefer sort of a mediocrity for a change which they would more or less anticipate to follow the nationwide election.

Jade forecast Prawit who is contesting as sole partisan contender for prime minister might probably become head of government consisting of the Pheu Thai, Bhumjaithai and Palang Pracharath and then might be succeeded by others after a certain period of time.

Either Thaksin’s daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and real estate tycoon Settha Taweesin, both vying for prime minister under the Pheu Thai banners without being put among 100 party-listed candidates, might possibly succeed Prawit after a year or two has passed by, Jade predicted.

However, Jade said he doubted that the much-heralded landslide victory for the Pheu Thai will ever take place whilst Thaksin’s camp is looking to set up a one-party government, given the possibility of winning as many as 310 out of a total of 500 MPs in the nationwide race to parliament.

Meanwhile, the academic said, “extremist” camps, namely the Move Forward, viewed as an ultra-liberal party, and the Ruam Thai Sang Chart, viewed as an ultra-conservative party, might both end up on the opposition side of the House chamber’s aisle.

Caretaker prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is running as Ruam Thai Sang Chart partisan contestant for prime minister without putting himself among those vying on the party list.

Prayut will undoubtedly have no desire to perform as an elected lawmaker if his last-ditch effort to retain power for two more years fizzles out, the academic commented.

CAPTIONS:

Top from left: Caretaker prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Palang Pracharath Party boss Prawit Wongsuwan, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat. Photo: Matichon

Front Page: Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Palang Pracharath Party boss Prawit Wongsuwan. Photo: Thai Rath

Also read: Ex-Democrat MP’s candidacy questioned after being caught playing cards at Parliament

First day of MP registration in Bangkok ends without a hitch

Prayut, Paetongtarn, Settha blasted for not running in party-listed mode

Somsak denies jail term privileges prepared for homecoming Thaksin

Pita, Paetongtarn running neck and neck for PM by Bangkokians’ choice: NIDA Poll

Most people still prefer Pheu Thai for government: NIDA poll

Thanathorn insists military be kept out of politics for good