Contemplating party political direction with 20 MPs of UTNP, disclosed by Suchart
United Thai Nation Party MPs Explore Coalition Options Amidst Leadership Investigation
The political future of the United Thai Nation Party (UTNP) MPs remains uncertain, with the leader, Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, under investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). However, the party appears to be maintaining its coalition bonds with Kla Tham and Bhumjaithai, engaging in efforts to solidify their parliamentary presence.
The UTNP, which was formed as a political vehicle for former prime minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha in the 2023 poll, won 36 House seats. The party's main political base is in the eastern provinces.
Deputy leader Suchart Chomklin has been in talks with key figures from both the Kla Tham and Bhumjaithai parties, including Thamanat Prompow and Anutin Charnvirakul, respectively. Suchart has been familiar with Thamanat since 2019, and discussions between Suchart and the two parties are scheduled for 28 and 29 May.
Suchart has not made any commitment about forming his own party for the next election. Instead, he plans to consult the MPs in his faction before deciding which party to join, if any. The discussions seem to be focused on maintaining parliamentary quorum and presenting a united front in the face of political uncertainties and pressures from opposition parties.
The coalition consensus appears focused on maintaining stability given the fragile parliamentary majority and external pressures such as the looming court rulings against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra (Pheu Thai leader) and her father, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra. These rulings have intensified political tensions, leading conservative coalition partners to potentially consolidate their power further, implicitly involving United Thai Nation MPs in cooperative strategies.
Approximately 20 MPs are believed to belong to Suchart's faction within the UTNP. If the NACC rules against Pirapan and the courts uphold the decision, the UTNP's future could be seriously affected. However, for now, the party MPs seem motivated to sustain their coalition strength through ongoing legislative collaboration and strategic talks with Kla Tham and Bhumjaithai to safeguard their parliamentary influence.
[1] Source: The Nation Thailand [2] Source: Bangkok Post [3] Source: Reuters [4] Source: Khaosod English
Read also:
- Daily Perspectives on Donald Trump's Presidency
- Tawee replaced by Chusak in charge of DSI's operations
- Brazil's Congress enacted less stringent environmental regulations.
- Trump's politically-motivated seizure of DC authorities was allegedly instigated by a perceived attack on a former DOGE employee and his personal observations of homelessness, according to Trump's supporters.
