By Thai Newsroom Reporters
BHUMJAITHAI LEADER ANUTIN Charnvirakul confirmed today (Aug. 2) he will by no means struggle for premiership which, he said, was practically provided for the Pheu Thai as core of the current coalition government.
The Bhumjaithai deputy prime minister-cum-interior minister was responding to speculation that the second largest coalition partner under de facto Bhumjaithai boss Newin Chidchob would probably manage to land him the elected premiership, given the possibility of the Pheu Thai-attached Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin being impeached by court and immediately deprived of his prime-ministerial status.
The Constitutional Court is scheduled for Aug. 14 to pass a verdict over the impeachment lawsuit filed against the prime minister on grounds of severely breaching the constitution and code of political ethics by naming Pichit Chuenban, a former lawyer previously hired by de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra and a former convict, a minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office.
Anutin said he categorically has had no design to take over the premiership from the Pheu Thai in case that Srettha could possibly be deposed of power because, he pointed out, Thaksin’s camp currently has the largest number of coalition MPs under command.
The Bhumjaithai leader said Pheu Thai wheeler-dealer Phumtham Wechayachai would probably be obliged to find a replacement for a possibly impeached prime minister. Phumtham is largely viewed as a right-hand man for the de facto Pheu Thai boss who had allegedly directed last year’s setup of the Pheu Thai-led coalition government and allocation of cabinet portfolios among coalition partners.
Prominent figures who could possibly be named prime minister in place of an impeached Srettha would apparently include Thaksin’s daughter/Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Pheu Thai MP Chaikasem Nitisiri, Palang Pracharath leader Prawit Wongsuwan and Anutin.
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Top and Front Page: Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnivarkul. Both photos: Thai Rath
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