By Thai Newsroom Reporters
DE FACTO PHEU THAI BOSS Thaksin Shinawatra would likely not risk losing his grip on power play and finally choose to keep the Bhumjaithai in government rather than get rid of such thorn in the side for good, partisan sources said today (April 23).
The billionaire power player/father of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been quietly warned against ousting the Bhumjaithai, the second largest coalition partner under de facto party boss Newin Chidchob, no matter how critical any sustained inter-party conflict could possibly be or else he would develop “serious trouble” with the super-elite, powers-that-be with whom he had earlier struck an historic deal to return home from self-exile abroad without being subsequently put behind bars for a single day and to be given the behind-the-scenes opportunity to manipulate 2023’s surprise setup of the Pheu Thai-led government, according to the partisan sources.
The Bhumjaithai is invariably viewed as an ultra-conservative camp and a tacit protege of the powers-that-be. So is the Ruam Thai Sang Chart, the third largest coalition partner under de facto party boss/former coup leader-turned-prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Thaksin’s fugitive sister/former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra had earlier telephoned him from overseas to recommend that Newin’s camp which has been apparently standing in his way be kicked out from the coalition government.
In the wake of yet-unresolved conflict between the Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai over legislation to open casinos in major tourist spots under the name of entertainment complexes, the de facto Pheu Thai boss had earlier contemplated expelling the Bhumjaithai from government but would finally change his mind for fear of otherwise locking horns with the powers-that-be, rendering more difficulties and predicaments in multiple legal battles currently besieging Paetongtarn and himself which could possibly prompt an impeachment of his daughter/ “puppet” prime minister on power abuse and duty negligence charges as well as his being returned to prison.
Thaksin vigorously pushed for the opening of casinos to supposedly attract deep-pocketed, foreign visitors and spur the national economy but his critics viewed them as roots of vice and evil and havens for transnational money-laundering rackets.
If the casino bill was eventually turned into law at any given time, legislation to turn online gambling activities from an illegal business to a legal one would follow at as much stake of mega billions of baht in business interest as the casinos.
Nevertheless, the de facto Pheu Thai boss who pulls the strings behind his “puppet” prime minister would manipulate to recall the seat of interior minister from Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul who concurrently acts as deputy prime minister in a cabinet reshuffle which could probably occur sooner than later, the partisan sources said.
A major portfolio of cabinet would be handed over to Newin’s camp in return for the interior minister’s seat to be given to somebody else personally entrusted by Thaksin whilst some other cabinet seats, especially those in charge of economic affairs, may as well change hands, they said.
CAPTION:
De facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra, left, and de facto Bhumjaithai boss Newin Chidchob. Top photo: PPTVHD36, Front Page photo: Thai Rath
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