Pheu Thai MPs May Abstain in PM Vote, Shaking Coalition

ALL MPs of the Pheu Thai, the second largest partner in the current Bhumjaithai-led coalition government, could probably abstain from casting a yea vote in support of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to put an end to the “Blue” regime following censure debate in foreseeable future, a partisan source said today (Sep.3). De facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra might probably tell all 74 Pheu Thai MPs to abstain from either casting a yea vote for or a nay vote against the prime minister or other Bhumjaithai members of cabinet as an aftermath of the planned censure debate under a premeditated plot of power play between the Bhumjaithai, core of the current coalition under hidden stewardship of de facto party boss Newin Chidchob, and the second largest coalition partner quietly directed by the former prime minister. Given no longer Pheu Thai backing in the House of Representatives after censure debate speculated to take place between the upcoming October and November, Anutin’s coalition government with 192 Bhumjaithai MPs at command would be consequently turned into a minority one, forcing him to step down. Importantly, the People’s, the largest opposition party, would most certainly no longer support such a minority government as had been the case last year, the partisan source said. The prime minister is not legally empowered to dissolve the House and call a general election after a censure motion has been formally lodged at parliament. Neither is he legally allowed to do so afterward if he finally secures support from less than half the total 500 MPs in consequence of confidence and no-confidence votes. The power play primarily designed to put an end to the “Blue” regime under the surreptitiously orchestrating Newin who could set directions for Anutin to follow at any given time has quietly loomed up amidst critical, unresolved corruption scandals and incompetency issue surrounding the Bhumjaithai for their alleged involvement in the 2024 senatorial rigging conspiracy and last year’s government exam frauds, among others. Thaksin has been more or less contemplating withdrawing the Pheu Thai from the Bhumjaithai-led government and turning his camp into core of a future coalition by fostering alliance with the Klatham, currently part of the opposition bloc under de facto party boss/leader Thammanat Prompao with 58 MPs at his command, and the 120 MPs-strong People’s with the hopes of naming his nephew/Higher Education, Science, Research & Innovation Minister Yodchanan Wongsawat as head of government, given the sought-after ouster of the censured prime minister. Thammanat who had been previously attached to Thaksin’s camp would effortlessly have the Klatham aligned with the Pheu Thai to the extent that the former may lend solid support for the latter’s naming of a new prime minister without the legal process of a partisan merger which is prohibited during the current legislative term. De facto People’s boss Thanathorn Jaungroongruangkit would likely be talked into changing his mind over the earlier-manifested People’s stand against the de facto Klatham boss-cum-leader pertaining to his alleged, personal connections with foreign suspects of online scam and money-laundering networks and finally join hands with Thaksin’s and Thammanat’s camps to set up a coalition government of their own with 252 MPs plus others from splinter parties on their side and without Newin’s camp. Information Source: Thai Newsroom