Leaders of Move Forward-led coalition hold first meeting

By Thai Newsroom Reporters

THE LEADERS OF SEVEN PARTIES which have tentatively formed a Move Forward-led coalition government following Sunday’s general election today (May 17) held their first meeting at a ritzy Bangkok restaurant.

Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat and Move Forward secretary-general Chaithawat Tulathon held an informal talk over dinner about the Move Forward-led coalition government with Pheu Thai leader Chonlanan Srikaew, Pheu Thai secretary-general Prasert Chanthararuangthong, Prachachart leader Wan Muhammad Nor Matha, Thai Sang Thai leader Sudarat Keyurapan and Thai Liberal leader Seripisut Temiyavej, among others.

The Move Forward-led coalition partners include two splinter parties with only one MP each, namely the Fair Party and the Palang Sangkhom Mai.

Under the military-designed constitution of 2017, a partisan candidate for prime minister needs yea votes from more than half the total of 500 MPs and 250 senators combined or at least 376 votes.

The Move Forward-led coalition with a total of 311 MPs at their command is needing at least 65 senators to add yea votes for the Move Forward leader for prime minister.

Seripisut said he believed there will be enough yea votes from the senators for the naming of Pita as prime minister after he had recently talked with some of the unelected lawmakers.

His comment apparently contradicted speculation that most of the senators will likely abstain from voting on a motion to name the Move Forward leader for prime minister in a joint House/Senate session which is yet to be scheduled in near future.

Meanwhile, de facto Pheu Thai boss/deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra said last night the Pheu Thai as the second largest coalition partner will certainly not compete against the Move Forward in effort to set up a coalition government.

Thaksin’s comment followed speculation that the Palang Pracharath headed by Prawit Wongsuwan might probably join a Pheu Thai-led coalition government only to see the Move Forward opt out and become the largest party in the opposition bloc, Pheu Thai candidate for prime minister Settha Taweesin call it quits and Chonlanan resign as Pheu Thai leader.

The Palang Pracharath camp would be needed as partner of a Pheu Thai-led coalition since Prawit is known to have more or less influence over many senators all of whom had been handpicked by him and coup leader-turned-prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha following the 2014 coup.

CAPTIONS:

Top: Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat shaking hands with Pheu Thai party leader Chonlanan Srikaew. Photo: Thai Rath

First insert: Thai Liberal leader Seripisut Temiyavej, left, walking into the restaurant. Photo: Thai Rath

Second insert: Thai Sang Thai leader Sudarat Keyurapan at the restaurant. Photo: Thai Rath

Below: Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat with leaders of six other parties that are part of the tentative coalition government. Photo: Matichon.

Front Page: Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat with Prachachart leader Wan Muhammad Nor Matha. Photo: Thai Rath

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